How to become an umpire in cricket : Complete Step-by-Step Career Guide for Beginners

In the game of cricket, umpires play a vital role as his job is to run the game in a fair way. Handling the role, they are required to be vigilant and composed to catch the errors made by players and deliver the judgement. In the history of the sport, figures such as David Shepherd, Simon Taufel, and Billy Bowden are some names who proved themselves by officiating a lot of games impartially and broke into the list of most successful umpires in world cricket.

Following these eminent legends, folks are now considering to build their careers in umpiring. With a lot of people envisaging to make their career in umpiring, questions arise how to become an umpire in international cricket. Discussing more, SportsTiger has come up with a guide which will tell you how you can become a cricket umpire.

Here is a step-by-step guide to help you understand how to become an umpire in India:

Step 1: Understand the Role of a Umpire

The first thing an aspiring umpire should do is to know the responsibilities of the crucial role. An umpire should possess a deep knowledge of cricket. Be unbiased and learn to run the game in a smooth way.

Step 2: Learn the Laws of Cricket

Impartiality is essential for the sport and as a person, who has the authority to run the game as per laws, it becomes crucial for him to have a trait of unbiasedness. Download the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) document available online. Go through it and reside all essential rules and regulations in your mind. Keep an official rule book with yourself in case you encounter confusion in the initial phase of learning.

Step 3: Keep yourself fit

You should be hale and hearty to officiate matches. It’s essential for you to make yourself capable of standing in the middle of the field for hours a day. You should also have sharp eyesight to observe every moment of the game and deliver flawless decisions.

 Step 4 : Start Umpiring in Local Matches

Register your presence in school and local games. Officiate more and more matches as you will get to learn in pressure situations. Gain skills and get recognised in your fraternity.

Step 5 : Take an umpiring course

Take a corroborated umpiring course as it will help you earn or enhance your prowess and also help you become a credible umpire. Associate yourself with the state association or the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Enroll yourself in the level 1 which contains basics such as signalling field positions and other laws. Strive your best to clear the written and practical test to receive your certificate.

Step 6 : Pass the Level 2 Umpire Exam to become eligible for domestic cricket

Clear the level 2 test of the BCCI as it will make you eligible to officiate India's distinguished domestic tournaments such as Ranji Trophy, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Duleep Trophy, and Vijay Hazare Trophy. Attempt the BCCI Umpire Academy’s certification exam and try to cross the level 2 exam which will help you break into domestic cricket. It will help you gain an official position in the sport.

Step 7: Gain Experience in Match Umpiring

It’s essential to sharpen your skills to be the best in the business. Read some books from the prominent umpires. Reading books from umpires will help you solve the conundrums in your way. After gaining recognition, deliver your services to club cricket. This small step will get credibility and experience from umpiring at the club level.

Step 8: Progress Towards the ICC Panel

Display your efficiency while umpiring in the domestic circuit as BCCI might pick you up to nominate you among the top umpires to the International Cricket Council (ICC) elite panel and with this achievement, you will see yourself umpiring in international games.

Step 9: Salary of a Cricket Umpire

People who aspire to become cricket umpires are often keen to know what salary they will draw if they succeed to achieve the dream. In local games, umpires get INR 2000 to 5000 per game while in domestic matches, umpires inducted in the A+ and A categories become the recipient of INR 40,000 per day, while those in the B and C categories gain INR 30,000 per day. Things become lucrative in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where elite umpires get the opportunity to earn INR 2,00,000 per match.  

 Conclusion: India offers a well-structured pathway for aspiring cricket umpires, with the BCCI and its affiliated state associations leading the charge in training and certification. From the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru to regional cricket bodies like TNCA, KSCA, and DDCA, numerous institutes are actively shaping the future of umpiring in the country. If you’re truly passionate about cricket and want to contribute to the game from an official’s perspective, enrolling in a recognized umpiring course is the first step. With dedication, training, and match experience, you can build a successful career as a certified cricket umpire in India.If you’re looking to build a career in cricket umpiring,

Here’s a list of cricket umpire institutes in India

Also Read: How to Become a Cricketer?

FAQs

Q. How to become a cricket umpire in India?

A. To become an umpire in cricket, register yourself in the state cricket association established as per BCCI. Complete the level 1 and level 2 courses with excellent grades and earn practical experience.

Q. How much does an umpire get paid in India?

A. In domestic cricket, umpires get INR 10000 to 30000 per day while in the international arena, umpires get $80000 to $200000 per year.

Q. What are the qualifications required to be an umpire in India?

A. No official degree is required to be an umpire in India. One needs to take official courses from the BCCI and pass one’s exam held every six months.

Q. Who is eligible to be an umpire in India?

A. You should be 18 years old and should be registered with the BCCI.