(Image source from: publictv.in)

Scripting the history, GS Lakshmi is all set to become the first female match referee to oversee a men’s ODI game. She had started as a match referee in women’s domestic cricket in 2008-09 and has come a long way becoming the first female to be inducted in the International Cricket Council (ICC)’s panel of match referees in 2018.

Lakshmi has already served as a match official in almost 16 men’s T20I and will be creating a historic entry as the first female to oversee a men’s ODI game.

The first match of the third series of ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 in the united Arab Emirates(UAE) will be overseen by Lakshmi wherein the match will be played between UAE and the USA at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on December 8.

She was a right-hand bats woman and medium-fast bowler during her playing days wherein she played for several domestic teams including the likes of Andhra Women, Bihar Women, Railways Women among the others and has overseen 16 men’s T20Is and three women’s ODIs in her career so far.

Lakshmi served as a coach of the South Central Railways team until 2014 and had started refereeing in matches at the same time. Making her professional debut in 1989 and retiring from cricket in 2004, GS Lakshmi has done exceptionally good.

ICC quoted Lakshmi as saying, “It feels great, having anything assigned ‘first’ to your name give me a sense of pride. This being a big ICC event it feels great to be officiating at this level.”

By Shrithika Kushangi