Hamirpur's Virender best domestic umpire for 2018-19 season
Gaurav Kanthwal
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, January 13
Himachal Pradesh umpire Virender Sharma was declared the best umpire in domestic cricket for the 2018-19 season during the annual BCCI awards. He was awarded a trophy and a Rs 1.5 lakh cheque in Mumbai on Sunday.
The 48-year-old from Purli village near Toni Devi in Hamirpur has been umpiring in domestic cricket since 2015 and recently officiated in the third T20I between India and Sri Lanka at Pune on January 10.
Sharma is a former Himachal Pradesh Ranji Trophy team captain who played as a middle-order batsman for the state from 1990 to 2006. He has played 50 First-Class matches and 40 List A matches. “It is a big honour for me and I am humbled as BCCI has recognised my efforts,” Sharma said about being honoured in his umpiring role.
In November 2016, while officiating in a Ranji Trophy match between Mumbai and Uttar Pradesh, Sharma had to stand at both ends on Day 2 as the other umpire, Sam Nogajski of Australia, fell ill due to food poisoning.
Another umpire from Himachal Pradesh, Amit Rana, an advocate from Hamirpur, was recently included in the BCCI panel of umpires.
Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association general secretary Sumeet Sharma said, “Virender Sharma has done the HPCA proud. Also, Nikita Chauhan, Renuka Singh (India A) and Tanuja Kanwer (India B) will be featuring in the upcoming Quadrangular T20I series also featuring Bangladesh and Thailand.” The tournament will be held in Patna from January 16 to January 22.
