Goan umpire aims higher after rewarding stint in England

Panaji: For Yeshwant Barde, the rise to the top hasn’t been either smooth or easy. For over a decade, the Goan umpire toiled on India’s domestic circuit and has now emerged as the numero uno, from amongst 98 of his kind.
Barde, 45, couldn’t have asked for more this year after being awarded ‘Best Umpire in Domestic Cricket’ during the BCCI Awards in Bengaluru.However, he couldn’t collect his prize in person. Instead, Barde was in distant England, reaping another reward.
The BCCI handpicked the Goan umpire to officiate in County Cricket as part of an exchange programme between BCCI and the English Cricket Board (ECB). The Mapusa resident was the eighth from India, and the first from Goa, to officiate in English County Cricket.
“I learnt quite a lot after officiating three matches: Glamorgan vs Warwickshire, Durham vs Sussex and Middlesex vs Kent. The idea of such initiative is to provide more exposure to domestic umpires. If I keep doing well and maintain my good record, I could get to visit Australia and South Africa as they too have an exchange programme with India,” said Barde, who played 27 Ranji Trophy matches for Goa between 1993 and 2005.
Officiating in England wasn’t a difficult task, said Barde. “In India, it’s challenging as spin and bounce are sharp. Pitches in England are spongy and offer swing. The only challenge I found there was to get used to weather as it was too cold,” he said.
Barde, employed with the Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) as coach, has now set his eyes on breaking into the elite ICC international panel, and given his performances in India and England, he believes there is a fair chance.
“This stint helped me get international feel. I am more confident,” said Barde, impressed with the respect that English cricketers have for umpires and the need to appeal for a wicket only when they believe they have more than just a decent chance.
Vineet Kulkarni, who made it to the ICC international panel, Anil Dandekar and Ulhas Gandhe are all ahead of Barde on merit.
“I want to make it big. We have match referees who send their report and I am eager to know what they have said about me. I am waiting to see what is in the report as they will share it with the BCCI,” said Barde.