Udaipur’s international cricket umpire, Professor Raghuveer Singh Rathore (88), passed away on Friday evening. Professor Rathore, who officiated in two international cricket Test matches and seven international ODIs, was the first international Test umpire from the Central Zone (UP, MP, Vidarbha, Railways, Rajasthan). He also served as a member of the Rajasthan Ranji team for nearly 11 years. A resident of Ashok Nagar, Professor Rathore had been unwell for 15 days and was hospitalized. He breathed his last at around 4 p.m. He was a professor of geography at Mohanlal Sukhadia University. His friend, former international umpire Balwant Sharma, said, “Many prominent figures, including Punjab Governor Gulabchand Kataria, former MP Namonarayan Meena, and former IAS officer Dharam Singh Sagar, were his students. He officiated the first Test between India and Sri Lanka.”
His close friend, former international umpire Balwant Sharma, said, “Raghveer Singh Rathore considered me his younger brother. I have many memories with him spanning nearly 45 years.” He was very cooperative and friendly. He umpired for the first time at the international level in 1992 in the India vs. Sri Lanka Test match in Chandigarh. He then umpired the second Test in 1993 in Chennai, between India and England. He has also umpired in seven One Day Internationals, the first of which was between India and Australia. Secretary of the Udaipur District Cricket Association from 1966 to 1996
Balwant Sharma said, “Prof. Raghuveer Singh Rathore was the Secretary of the Udaipur District Cricket Association from 1966 to 1996. After this, I handed over the charge of Secretary to him. Because once upon a time, the MA in Geography was offered at Sukhadia University in Rajasthan.” A condolence meeting was held on his passing at the Wonder Academy campus. Tributes were paid to him. District Cricket Association Secretary Manoj Chaudhary, coaches, and players were present on the occasion.
