Historic feat: Vrinda Rathi set to become first Indian woman umpire to officiate in ICC Women's World Cup final

Historic feat: Vrinda Rathi set to become first Indian woman umpire to officiate in ICC Women's World Cup final originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Vrinda Rathi will become the first Indian woman umpire to officiate in a Women's World Cup final.
• She has been named an on-field umpire for the England vs Australia final at Lord's.
• Rathi is only the second Indian umpire to stand in an ICC World Cup final overall.

Vrinda Rathi set to become first Indian woman umpire in World Cup final

The Indian women's team may have endured a bitterly disappointing early exit from the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup, but the nation will not be entirely absent from the showpiece occasion. India will instead be represented in the tournament's grandest match in truly historic fashion.

That representation comes courtesy of Vrinda Rathi, who is on the cusp of a landmark achievement in the world of officiating. The umpire from Nerul in Navi Mumbai has been handed one of the most prestigious assignments in the women's game by the sport's governing body.

Rathi has been appointed by the ICC as one of the on-field umpires for the final between hosts England and Australia at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground on Sunday. She will officiate in the middle alongside experienced West Indian umpire Jacqueline Williams.

MORE: ENG vs AUS Women T20 World Cup 2026 final umpires: Full list of match officials for England vs Australia at Lord's

A groundbreaking appointment for Rathi

The significance of the selection cannot be overstated. Rathi becomes the first Indian woman umpire to officiate in a Women's World Cup final and only the second Indian official overall to stand in an ICC World Cup final, following Ram Babu Gupta in 1987. Her path to this moment has been long and unconventional.

Before officiating, the 37-year-old was a medium-pacer who represented the Mumbai University women's team for four years, having been unable to break into the Mumbai senior side during her playing days.

A pivotal figure in her journey was former BCCI umpire Ganesh Iyer, who spotted her potential early. "She was a scorer originally. Then, she became an umpire at my insistence. 'You can have a career in umpiring,' I told her," Iyer told TOI of her beginnings. He also charted her remarkably swift rise through the ranks.

"Rathi cleared the umpires' exam conducted by the Mumbai Cricket Association in 2014 before passing the BCCI exam in 2018, and 'within one year,'" Iyer noted when she was promoted to the ICC Development Panel.

MORE: Have England women ever beaten Australia at the Women's T20 World Cup?

A fitting reward for a trailblazer

There is a poetic justice to Rathi standing tall at Lord's this weekend. As Indian cricket processes the letdown of an early team exit, her presence ensures the country still leaves a proud and unmistakable mark on the tournament's defining showpiece. Her appointment also reflects the growing global respect for Indian officials.

From clearing her first exam in 2014 to a World Cup final in barely a decade, Rathi's ascent is a genuine trailblazing story that should inspire the next generation of aspiring match officials. For a side which has already been kicked out of the playoffs of the tournament with some serious losses, Rathi's presence in the finals is a great consolation for them.