In the early 90’s, a young boy in Pune was up at 3.30 am to watch India touring Australia for a five-match test series.
And while all the boys his age watched Ravi Shastri score a double century at Sydney, and Sachin put up a fighting 114 at Perth, 12-year old Vineet Kulkarni was busy learning and watching the likes of Peter McConnell, Steve Randell and Leonard King who were umpiring the matches.
Two decades later, the young man is an umpire, and is loving his chosen profession. As India’s youngest umpire inducted in the ICC International Panel of Umpires in 2011 at just 32 year of age, Kulkarni has found his calling.
After making his International debut in the India-Pakistan ODI at Eden Gardens in 2013, he has umpired 13 ODIs and three T-20 matches onfield.
Currently officiating the India-Sri Lanka ODI series, Vineet believes that attitude, self-discipline and hard work makes one a good decision maker on the field.
Confessing he never was a good player, Vineet feels that playing cricket can be an advantage, but there are many other things that make a good umpire.
“Your have to have a positive attitude, thorough preparation and discipline, team ethics, mental toughness and decision making skills,” says Vineet.
As the youngest umpire from India in the ICC panel, Vineet feels, it comes with added responsibility. “People expect you to be at the peak of your performance.
You have to leave no stone unturned to ensure you are putting your best foot forward. I use the expectations that people have to motivate myself,” he adds.
His passion for umpiring started early. “I loved cricket. However, I was never that good a player. Even at the club where I played, I found that I loved to umpire in the nets while other players waited for their turn to bat and bowl.
I slowly realised that my playing skills would never be enough to continue in the sport. Soon, I would be a spectator enjoying others in action.
That was when I decided to feed this passion and slowly the umpires on TV were the centre of my attention. Steve Bucknor was a big name back then, and has become the synonym and standard for umpiring,” he explains.
He passed the Maharashtra State Panel umpiring exam in 1998 at the age of 18 and later passed the BCCI Panel exam in 2008. Officiated his first class debut in 2009, Vineet was nominated onto the ICC panel in 2011.
Vineet feels umpiring in India is progressing and India could produce a number of excellent umpires in the coming years. “The job and the profession have evolved over the past 10 years.
The umpire has an important role with a lot of accountability. The job has its challenges and gives one a chance to be close to the wonderful game.
The BCCI makes an earnest effort to take care of the umpiring fraternity. Every step is taken to ensure that the development of umpires moves forward. Education, development and accreditation of umpires is today well channelised and formulated.
The financial aspects are also well taken care of by the BCCI. This gives umpires a good sense of security,” he adds.
Like any other umpire, Vineet’s career goal is to officiate at the highest level. One of his inspiration figures Simon Taufel (winner of five straight ICC Umpire of the Year awards between 2004-2008) has helped him hone his skillset.
“I work closely with my coach Simon Taufel who scans and monitors my performance. He is the support and the driving force that motivates me, keeping me on my toes.
He adds so much value to my umpiring the journey towards my goals is now well planned and channellised because of him,” he adds.
Vineet’s umpiring excellence has also been recognised by the BCCI as he was given the responsibility to prepare the Playing Conditions for the domestic matches for the current season.
Vineet confesses that family life takes a back seat when the cricket season is at its peak. “However, we umpires make it a point to devote quality time to family.
My family includes my parents, Swapna, my wife and my four-year old son Nishad and they are my pillars of strength. They understand that this profession is a little different and comes with its own challenges. The support and motivation we umpires derive from our families is invaluable,” he says.
Vineet has miles to go in his chosen career, and as he takes a step forward with good assessment reports from the ICC, India might soon find its representation in the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires, the topmost match official panel in the world through Vineet Kulkarni.
Vineet with his wife Swapna and son Nishad
Quick Bytes
Idol: Family, Simon Taufel, David Shepherd, Rahul Dravid and Steve Waugh.
Memorable moment: His debut ODI- India vs Pakistan at Eden Gardens on January 3, 2013
Hobbies: Travelling, music and reading
First Class debut: Gujarat vs Tamil Nadu, November 10, 2009
International T-20 Debut: India vs New Zealand, September 11, 2012.
