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Kumar Dharmasena
Kumar Dharmasena
Kumar Dharmasena
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Deshabandu Handunnettige Deepthi Priyantha Kumar Dharmasena (born 24 April 1971) is a Sri Lankan cricket umpire and former international cricketer.[1] He is a member of the Elite Panel of ICC Umpires and the first person to participate in an ICC Cricket World Cup final both as a player and an umpire. A right-handed batsman and a right-arm off break bowler, Dharmasena was a member of the Sri Lankan side that won the 1996 Cricket World Cup and the side which were joint-winners of the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy with India.

Key Information

Playing career

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Dharmasena was born in Colombo on 24 April 1971.[2] He started his cricketing career as a teenager at Nalanda College Colombo.[3] His first foray into international cricket was in 1994 in a Test match against South Africa.[2]

His obscure action made him perfect for bowling in one-day matches, yet Dharmasena also proved a useful batsman, especially after he was investigated in 1998 by the ICC for overstretching his bowling action to illegal proportions. Having been cleared in July 2000, he played for the one-day team on several occasions since, but rarely played Test cricket.[2]

Dharmasena was the 59th Sri Lankan cricketer to receive a Test cap (Sri Lanka v South Africa at Colombo Sinhalese Sports Club 1993).

Kumar Dharmasena has the record for playing the most number of ODI innings before being dismissed for a duck (72 innings).[4]

He along with Dulip Liyanage set the record for the highest 8th wicket runstand for Sri Lanka in ODI cricket (91).[5][6]

Umpiring career

[edit]

Following his retirement as a cricketer in November 2006, Dharmasena announced plans to become a competitive umpire, as he wished to remain "close to the game which I love so dearly".[7] Prior to his retirement, he had already umpired several domestic matches in the Sara Trophy, the major first-class cricket tournament in Sri Lanka.[7] He umpired his first international match in 2009, overseeing the one-day international between India and Sri Lanka at the Rangiri International Stadium in Dambulla:[8] he remains the youngest ever Sri Lankan to umpire any international match.[9] He umpired in the 2011 Cricket World Cup, and was appointed to the Elite Panel of ICC Umpires later that year.[2] Dharmasena was named the Umpire of the Year at the 2012 ICC Awards, receiving the David Shepherd Trophy.[10]

He was selected as one of the twenty umpires to stand in matches during the 2015 Cricket World Cup[11] and umpired in the final.[12] In doing so he became the first to play in and to umpire World Cup finals.[13] He stood in the final of the 2016 ICC World Twenty20.[14]

Kumar Dharmasena has worked as an umpire in 18 matches of ICC World T20, the most by any umpire from Sri Lanka.[15]

In January 2019, he won the David Shepherd Trophy for the ICC Umpire of the Year at the 2018 ICC Awards.[16] In April 2019, he was named as one of the sixteen umpires to stand in matches during the 2019 Cricket World Cup.[17][18] In July 2019, he was named as one of the two on-field umpires for the second semi-final match, between Australia and England.[19] Later the same month, he was also named as one of the two on-field umpires for the Cricket World Cup Final.[20] England won the match in a Super Over.[21] He admitted an error at a critical moment in the match, but said he did not regret it. Had the right decision been made, England would have required 4 runs instead of 3 to win off the last 2 balls.[22]

He also umpired the final match of the 2022 ICC Men's T20 World Cup between Pakistan and England.[23]

In September 2023, he was named as one of the sixteen match officials for 2023 Cricket World Cup.[24][25]

Records

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See also

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References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Kumar Dharmasena

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from Grokipedia
Handunnettige Deepthi Priyantha Kumar Dharmasena (born 24 April 1971) is a former international cricketer and an active member of the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires. As a player, he represented in 31 Test matches and 141 One Day Internationals (ODIs) between 1993 and 2004, primarily as a right-arm off-break bowler and right-handed lower-order batsman. He was a key member of the team that won the , contributing with the ball in the quarter-final against by taking two wickets. Dharmasena's playing career began with a Test debut against in September 1993 and an ODI debut against in August 1994. Over his international tenure, he took 69 Test wickets at an average of 33.37 and 138 ODI wickets at 31.82, while scoring 868 runs in Tests and 1,222 in ODIs. Notable performances include a four-wicket haul (4/37) in Port Elizabeth during the 1994 Mandela Trophy against and contributions in the 1996 semi-final and final. He retired from in November 2006 to focus on umpiring. Transitioning to umpiring, Dharmasena made his ODI debut in January 2009 (Sri Lanka vs. ) and Test debut in November 2010 ( vs. ). He joined the ICC Elite Panel in 2011, becoming the youngest Sri Lankan to achieve this status. His umpiring career highlights include officiating the , the 2015 Cricket World Cup final—where he became the first person to both play in and umpire a World Cup final—the , and numerous high-profile matches. He has stood in 57 Tests, 97 ODIs, and 32 T20Is as of September 2025. Dharmasena has twice won the ICC Umpire of the Year award () in 2012 and 2018, recognizing his accuracy and composure.

Personal life

Early life and education

Handunnettige Deepthi Priyantha Kumar Dharmasena, commonly known as Kumar Dharmasena, was born on 24 April 1971 in , . Dharmasena grew up in the Torrington Flats area of , where he was exposed to from a young age through informal games of on nearby grounds, playing daily with friends alongside his family, which included his father, a civil servant, his mother, a housewife, and one sister. He attended Janadipathi College for his first three years of schooling before transferring to , where he began formal training around age 11 or 12 under coach Nelson Mendis. At Nalanda College, Dharmasena honed his skills as an , starting in the under-13 B team and progressing to represent the school in under-13, under-15, and senior teams from 1987 to 1990, including participation in the prestigious Battle of the Maroons rivalry matches against , where he notably took 6 wickets for 51 runs in the 1990 encounter. His schoolboy performances culminated in winning the Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year award in 1989, reflecting the supportive local cricket environment in during the 1980s, a period of growing national interest in the sport. Early influences included guidance from coaches like Mendis and C.H. Gunasekera Jr., as well as family encouragement, which instilled discipline and persistence despite initial challenges in team selection.

Family and post-cricket pursuits

Dharmasena is married to Dushyanthi Gunewardena and has four children—one son and three daughters—with the family residing in . His son is pursuing studies in perfumery in , aiming to become an internationally qualified by 2029, while one daughter is training in . He has a brother, K. Dharmasena. Following his retirement from playing in , Dharmasena transitioned into as Chairman of Pintanna Holdings, leveraging the family's Ayagama estate, which has been in their possession for over three decades. The company oversees plantations across regions including , , , , and , cultivating , rubber, , pepper, and on a small scale, with supplied to estates like New Vithanakande Tea Factory. A key focus is production, with over 475,000 trees planted and ambitions to reach one million; products include oud oil, oud chips, Aga , and the Unanduwa perfume brand. These ventures employ more than 1,300 people, supporting local communities through job creation and economic contributions.

Playing career

Test cricket

Kumar Dharmasena represented Sri Lanka in 31 Test matches from 1993 to 2004, establishing himself as a useful all-rounder with right-arm off-break bowling and lower-order right-handed batting. He made his debut on 6 September 1993 against South Africa at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo, where he took 0 wickets in the match but struggled with the bat, scoring 5 and 2. Over his career, Dharmasena accumulated 868 runs at an average of 19.72, including three half-centuries—62* against Zimbabwe in 1996, 51 against Pakistan in 1995, and 54 against England in 2001—and a highest score of 62 not out against Zimbabwe in 1996, often contributing vital partnerships in the lower order during challenging situations. Dharmasena's bowling proved more impactful, claiming 69 wickets at an of 42.31 across 53 , with an economy rate of 2.52; he achieved three five-wicket hauls (6/72 vs in 1998, 5/79 vs in 1996, and 6/99 vs in 1994), showcasing his ability to extract turn on home pitches. A standout performance came in his second Test, against at the P. Sara Oval in in 1994, where he took match figures of 8 for 183, including 6 for 99 in the second to dismantle the batting lineup and secure an victory for . His off-spin, delivered at a brisk pace with a distinctive action, complemented the attack led by , particularly in subcontinental conditions. Dharmasena's Test career faced a significant setback after the 1998 series in England, where the ICC suspended him for a suspect bowling action following scrutiny during the Oval Test. Cleared to resume by the Sri Lanka Cricket Board in 2001 after remedial work, he made a brief return in 2004, playing three Tests against Australia; in his final match at Galle, he claimed 2 for 52, marking a resilient end to his red-ball journey before retiring from international cricket later that year to focus on umpiring.

One Day Internationals

Kumar Dharmasena made his (ODI) debut for against on 24 August 1994 at the in , where he claimed 2 s for 34 runs in a match lost by 27 runs. He went on to play 141 ODIs until his international retirement in 2004, while continuing domestic until 2006. As a right-arm off-spinner and lower-order batsman, Dharmasena provided all-round utility in the 50-over format, taking 138 wickets at an average of 36.22 and an economy rate of 4.28 across 130 innings. With the bat, he scored 1,222 runs in 87 innings at an average of 22.63, including three half-centuries, often stabilizing the innings during run chases or contributing quick runs. His final international ODI came on 25 February 2004 against at the , where he bowled 8 overs for 42 runs without a wicket in a match won by 5 wickets. Dharmasena was a key contributor to Sri Lanka's successful campaigns in major ODI tournaments. In the 1996 Cricket World Cup, he played 5 matches en route to the title, taking 10 wickets at an average of 18.90 and an economy of 3.72, with notable performances including 2/30 in the quarter-final victory over at . His bowling complemented the spin attack, while his fielding—highlighted by sharp catches—supported the team's defensive efforts; he also chipped in with 62 runs across four innings, including an unbeaten 18 in the rain-affected semi-final against . Sri Lanka's shared victory in the further underscored Dharmasena's value in high-pressure limited-overs . Recalled to the squad after a period out of the international side, he featured in three matches, taking 5 wickets at an average of 22.20, including a spell of 2/37 in the semi-final against that helped restrict them to 240. The final against was abandoned due to rain with Sri Lanka at 222/7 after 49 overs, resulting in a shared title; Dharmasena's economical bowling earlier in the tournament, such as 1/22 against , aided run chases and controlled middle overs effectively. After his full retirement from domestic in 2006, Dharmasena transitioned to umpiring.

Umpiring career

Entry and early assignments

Following his retirement from competitive cricket in November 2006, Kumar Dharmasena shifted his focus to umpiring, beginning with domestic matches in Sri Lanka to build his experience in the role. He underwent training and certification through the Sri Lanka Cricket umpires' committee, which prepared him for higher-level officiating. Dharmasena joined the ICC International Panel of Umpires in 2009, becoming the youngest Sri Lankan to achieve this milestone at age 37. His international umpiring debut came in the first between and at on 28 January 2009, where he stood alongside Brian Jerling. In his early international assignments, Dharmasena progressed steadily through the ICC panel, officiating his first Test match between and at Sardar Patel Stadium, , from 4 to 8 November 2010. By May 2011, ahead of his promotion to the Elite Panel, he had umpired 25 ODIs, 3 T20Is, and 2 Tests, demonstrating consistent performance in these formative years.

ICC Elite Panel and major tournaments

In May 2011, Kumar Dharmasena was promoted to the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires, recognizing his rapid rise in international officiating following his debut in 2009. As of November 2025, he has officiated over 90 Test matches, more than 130 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and nearly 50 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), establishing himself as one of the most experienced umpires on the panel. Dharmasena's elite status led to appointments in several high-profile ICC tournaments, including umpiring the finals of the 2015 and 2019 Cricket World Cups alongside . He also stood in the finals of the 2016 ICC World Twenty20 in and the 2022 in , where defeated . These assignments highlighted his composure under pressure in marquee events. A unique milestone in Dharmasena's career is becoming the first individual to both play in a men's ODI World Cup final—for in their 1996 victory over —and umpire one, achieving the latter in the 2015 final at . In recent years, Dharmasena continued his involvement in major events, serving as an on-field umpire for the opening match of the between and in . His 2025 assignments included the fifth Test of the -India series at , where he faced controversy over signaling an inside edge to on July 31, potentially saving them a (DRS) review against , and a heated exchange with on August 1 amid on-field tensions. Additionally, the ICC assigned him to the 2025 series, underscoring his ongoing role in bilateral despite rotations in the elite panel.

Awards and records

As a player

Dharmasena holds the joint record for the most consecutive (ODI) without being dismissed for a , achieving 72 such from his debut in 1994 until 2004. He also shares the record for the highest eighth-wicket partnership in ODIs, scoring an unbeaten 51 alongside Dulip Liyanage's 43 for 91 runs against at in 1997. In , Dharmasena played 31 matches between 1993 and 2004, scoring 868 runs at an average of 19.73 with a highest score of 62 and three half-centuries. As a bowler, he took 69 wickets at an average of 42.32, with best figures of 6/72 and three five-wicket hauls. Dharmasena contributed to 's 1996 World Cup victory, playing six matches and taking 10 wickets at an average of 25.20, including 2/30 against in the quarter-final at . In the final against , he claimed 1/47 from 10 overs while batting lower down the order. During the , which co-won with , he featured in four matches, capturing five wickets at an average of 19.00 and an economy rate of 2.32, highlighted by dismissing in the semi-final against for 31.

As an umpire

Dharmasena has twice won the ICC Umpire of the Year award (), in after officiating 10 Tests, 35 ODIs, and 10 T20Is with a low reversal rate on DRS reviews, and again in 2018. He became the first person to participate in a World Cup final both as a player (1996) and as an ( and ). As of October 2025, Dharmasena had umpired 90 Tests, 135 ODIs, and 47 T20Is, while remaining on the ICC Elite Panel into the 2025-26 season. A notable incident occurred during the 2019 World Cup final, where Dharmasena and co-umpire awarded six runs on an overthrow instead of five due to a split-second judgment error on whether the batters had crossed; Dharmasena later acknowledged the mistake but stood by the on-field decision-making process under pressure. In July 2025, during the Test at , Dharmasena signaled an inside edge to deny an LBW appeal, which some criticized for potentially influencing 's DRS decision, sparking debate on umpire communication protocols.

References

  1. https://www.sportskeeda.com/player/kumar-dharmasena
  2. https://www.icc-cricket.com/about/cricket/match-officials/umpires
  3. https://www.cricbuzz.com/profiles/3576/kumar-dharmasena
  4. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/mandela-trophy-1994-95-60965/south-africa-vs-sri-lanka-12th-match-66015/full-scorecard
  5. https://sports.ndtv.com/icc-cricket-world-cup-2015/kumar-dharmasena-first-to-play-and-umpire-in-world-cup-final-1502948
  6. https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/kumar-dharmasena-made-a-mistake-in-the-2019-world-cup-final-but-just-about-every-umpire-would-have-done-the-same-1233690
  7. https://genzcricket.net/best-cricket-umpires/
  8. https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/kumar-dharmasena-wins-the-david-shepherd-trophy-for-icc-umpire-of-the-year-2012
  9. https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/kumar-dharmasena-48469
  10. http://kitsports.com/?p=3089
  11. https://www.sundaytimes.lk/151101/sports/kumara-dharmasena-a-strict-disciplinarian-169705.html
  12. http://www.battleofthemaroons.lk/history_records.html
  13. https://www.schoolcricketer.lk/happenings/flashback/kumar-dharmasena-schoolboy-star-1989-figured-prominently-world-cup-win-1996
  14. https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/photo/Umpire-Kumar-Dharmasena-loves-to-unwind-with-his-wife-and-kids-56443/8
  15. https://businesstoday.lk/kumar-dharmasenas-rise-from-cricket-to-the-world-of-business/
  16. https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/2/2099/2099.html
  17. https://www.howstat.com/cricket/Statistics/Players/PlayerOverview.asp?PlayerID=1971
  18. https://www.cricket.com/players/kumar-dharmasena-969
  19. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/pakistan-tour-of-sri-lanka-1994-61513/sri-lanka-vs-pakistan-1st-test-63652/full-scorecard
  20. https://www.howstat.com/cricket/statistics/Players/PlayerOverview_ODI.asp?PlayerID=1971
  21. https://www.thepapare.com/champions-trophy-2002-a-near-perfect-campaign/
  22. https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/kumar-dharmasena-to-pursue-umpiring-career-267959
  23. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-tour-of-sri-lanka-2008-09-386281/sri-lanka-vs-india-1st-odi-386530/full-scorecard
  24. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/new-zealand-tour-of-india-nov-2010-2010-11-464517/india-vs-new-zealand-1st-test-464531/full-scorecard
  25. https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/dharmasena-and-kettleborough-selected-for-elite-umpires-panel
  26. https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/dharmasena-elite-panel-indians-fail-2418012
  27. https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/icc-news-harper-de-silva-removed-from-elite-panel-516640
  28. https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/cricket-world-cup-kumar-dharmasena-first-to-play-and-umpire-in-final-20150327-1m9mne.html
  29. https://www.hirunews.lk/en/320183/t20-world-cup-final-kumar-dharmasena-to-officiate-as-on-field-umpire
  30. https://www.thepapare.com/kumar-dharmasena-first-to-play-and-umpire-in-world-cup-final-read-more-at-http-economictimes-indiatimes-com-articleshow-46727247-cms-utm-source-contentofinterest-utm-medium-text-utm-campaign-cppst/
  31. https://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/kumar-dharmasena-nitin-menon-to-serve-as-on-field-umpires-during-cwc-opener-between-england-new-zealand/article67346189.ece
  32. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/kumar-dharmasena-oval-test-blunder-hands-england-big-escape-in-sai-sudharsan-case-atherton-fumes-india-would-want-101753960989256.html
  33. https://sports.ndtv.com/england-vs-india-2025/you-cant-talk-like-that-umpire-kumar-dharmasena-in-heated-chat-with-kl-rahul-reason-is-9002547
  34. https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/why-the-world-s-best-umpires-won-t-be-umpiring-first-ashes-test-20251108-p5n8qb.html
  35. https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/most-consecutive-innings-without-a-duck-284074
  36. https://www.howstat.com/Cricket/Statistics/Players/PlayerOverview.asp?PlayerID=1971
  37. https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/finch-macleod-pant-and-williamson-named-for-icc-player-awards
  38. https://www.wisden.com/series/england-vs-india-m-2025/cricket-news/explained-was-umpire-kumar-dharmasena-wrong-to-indicate-inside-edge-after-turning-down-england-lbw-appeal
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