Umpire Parashar Joshi: In the fields of cricket and music, only a handful among the millions of aspiring youths manage to carve out a distinct identity for themselves. The story of Parashar Joshi, a native of Pune, serves as a unique example of the convergence of these two worlds.
The man who once showcased his vocal prowess on the stage of the popular singing reality show *Indian Idol* is now known for making crucial decisions on the cricket field with his sharp, discerning eye. He is now set to officiate matches in Australia as part of a special umpire exchange program between the BCCI and Cricket Australia.
A Major Responsibility for Parashar Joshi
During the current Ranji Trophy season, the BCCI and Cricket Australia have initiated an umpire exchange program. As part of this, Australian umpire Ben Treloar is officiating two Ranji Trophy matches in India, while experienced Indian umpire Parashar Joshi is being sent to Australia.
Parashar Joshi’s journey toward becoming an umpire has been quite fascinating. Hailing from Pune, Parashar had a deep passion for music. He persistently tried to make a mark as a singer, but for the first three years, he faced nothing but rejections in auditions.
Undeterred by these setbacks, he tried again in the fourth year and, in 2008, succeeded in reaching the ‘piano round’ of ‘Indian Idol Season 4.’ However, he was eliminated from the show shortly thereafter.
Beyond his connection to music, he also had a deep involvement with sports. He used to play cricket at the club level, but later, having mastered the rules of the game, he decided to pursue a career in umpiring. After entering the field of cricket umpiring, Parashar rose through the ranks rapidly. In 2015, the BCCI included him in its official panel of umpires.
He has served as an on-field umpire in 19 first-class matches (such as those in the Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy), 32 List-A matches (including the Vijay Hazare and Deodhar Trophy), and 40 T20 encounters. Furthermore, his experience includes officiating in the Indian Premier League (IPL) the world’s biggest cricket league as well as the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Women’s Premier League.
To officiate in the Sheffield Shield and One-Day Cup
Under this international exchange program, Parashar Joshi has been entrusted with officiating several high-profile and demanding matches in Australia. From November 11 to 14, he will serve as an umpire for the four-day Sheffield Shield match between Queensland and Tasmania in Brisbane.
On November 16, he will officiate as an on-field umpire for an Australian domestic One-Day Cup match at the same venue. Subsequently, from November 22 to 25, he will take charge as an umpire for the Sheffield Shield encounter between New South Wales and Queensland at the historic Sydney Cricket Ground.
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