Daniel Manohar to be Hyderabad’s first IPL match referee in this season

For Daniel Manohar it will be another feather in his cap when he becomes the first Hyderabadi to officiate as match referee in the 14-year-old glamorous IPL which gets underway in Mumbai and Pune from March 26. The 48-year-old former Ranji left-handed opener is one of the six, including former Test bowler Javagal Srinath, to be named in the panel this edition. 

He is the lone official from the city this year. In the past, Ivaturi Shivram, Shamsuddin and Nanda Kishore officiated as umpires. Incidentally GS Lakshmi, who is now on duty in the Women’s one-day World Cup in New Zealand, was the first international match referee from the city.

“It will be my first appearance as match referee in IPL. So it is a huge breakthrough as far as my career is concerned. It is a big step towards my dream of becoming an international match referee. The job is the same but it is a high-stake tournament. We have to handle the pressure as this popular premier tournament of the world has a big audience, both at the stadium and TV viewers. That is the challenge. I’m mentally prepared for this tournament,’’ said Manohar, who had a distinguished career as a first class cricketer, scoring 4009 runs (eight centuries).

In fact, this left-hander opener, who was also a handy medium-pacer, began his Ranji career with a bang as he hammered 144 against Karnataka which had the likes of Srinath, Venkatesh Prasad, Anil Kumble and others. He went on to play for India A and then in Wills Trophy



one-day match. He retired from the game in the 2007-08 season after playing in 73 matches.

Manohar wanted to be a coach initially but did not get the necessary support from the Hyderabad Cricket Association. “Till 2011, I was waiting to be a selector or hoping to get a coaching assignment. But then it never happened. So finally I requested the HCA to send my name to BCCI as a match referee and in 2014, the Board conducted examination. I passed and from 2014, the position of match referee became more professional,’’ he said, adding, “I was never inclined towards umpiring as I don’t have the required patience to be present the whole day standing on the field. So I thought the best way to be involved in cricket was to be a match referee.’’

The former all-rounder has grown in stature as match referee and has so far officiated in 88 matches, including junior and Ranji matches. He was the match referee for two India A matches — against English Lions and Lankan A teams.

Manohar, who represents State Bank of India in local leagues, is set for the IPL challenge. “Match referee is all about being alert and well versed with the rules and regulations of the game and tournament. 

It needs a minute attention as we have to ensure the smooth conduct of the match devoid of any controversies or unpleasantness. Match referee is like a judge, he has to go by the rule book. We have to ensure to the players and the umpires are in comfort zone.