Kumar Dharmasena: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Sri Lankan cricketer and umpire}}
{{Short description|Sri Lankan cricket umpire (born 1971)}}
{{Use Sri Lankan English|date=April 2023}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox cricketer
{{Infobox cricketer
| honorific_prefix = [[Deshabandu]]
| honorific_prefix = [[Deshabandu]]
|              name = Kumar Dharmasena
|              name = Kumar Dharmasena
|              image = Kumar Dharmasena umpiring.png
|              image =  
|            caption = Dharmasena umpiring in the [[2015 Cricket World Cup]]
|            caption =  
|          fullname = Handunnettige Deepthi Priyantha Kumara Dharmasena
|          fullname = Handunnettige Deepthi Priyantha Kumara Dharmasena
|          nickname = Unanduwa
|          nickname = Unanduwa
Line 17: Line 17:


|      international = true
|      international = true
|     internationalspan = 1993–2004
| internationalspan = 1993–2004
|            country = Sri Lanka
|            country = Sri Lanka
|      testdebutdate = 6 September
|      testdebutdate = 6 September
Line 47: Line 47:


|            umpire = true
|            umpire = true
|      testsumpired = 79
|      testsumpired = 93
|    umptestdebutyr = 2010
|    umptestdebutyr = 2010
|      umptestlastyr = 2023
|      umptestlastyr = 2025
|        odisumpired = 118
|        odisumpired = 140
|      umpodidebutyr = 2009
|      umpodidebutyr = 2009
|      umpodilastyr = 2022
|      umpodilastyr = 2026
|      t20isumpired = 42
|      t20isumpired = 52
|    umpt20idebutyr = 2009
|    umpt20idebutyr = 2009
|      umpt20ilastyr = 2022
|      umpt20ilastyr = 2026
|      wodisumpired = 1
|      wodisumpired = 1
|    umpwodidebutyr = 2008
|    umpwodidebutyr = 2008
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|      best bowling4 = 5/14
|      best bowling4 = 5/14
| catches/stumpings4 = 50/–
| catches/stumpings4 = 50/–
 
|medaltemplates=<!--MENTION HOST NATIONS FOR TEAM SPORTS-->
|              date = 24 April 2023
{{MedalSport|Men's [[Cricket]]}}
{{MedalCountry|{{SRI}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[ICC Cricket World Cup]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[1996 Cricket World Cup|1996 India-Pakistan-Sri Lanka]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[ICC Champions Trophy]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[2002 ICC Champions Trophy|2002 Sri Lanka]]|}}
|              date = 24 November 2023
|            source = http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/content/player/48469.html Cricinfo
|            source = http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/content/player/48469.html Cricinfo
}}
}}


[[Deshabandu]] '''Handunnettige Deepthi Priyantha Kumar Dharmasena''' (born 24 April 1971) is a Sri Lankan [[cricket]] [[umpire (cricket)|umpire]] and former international cricketer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/657430 |title=International cricketers turned umpires |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=7 April 2018}}</ref> He is a member of the [[Elite Panel of ICC Umpires]] and the first and only person to participate in an ICC Cricket World Cup final both as a player and an umpire, as he was a member of the Sri Lankan side that won the [[1996 Cricket World Cup]]. He was a right-handed batsman and a right-arm [[off break]] bowler.
[[Deshabandu]] '''Handunnettige Deepthi Priyantha Kumar Dharmasena''' (born 24 April 1971) is a Sri Lankan [[cricket]] [[umpire (cricket)|umpire]] and former international cricketer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/657430 |title=International cricketers turned umpires |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=7 April 2018}}</ref> 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.


== Playing career ==
== Playing career ==
Dharmasena was born in Colombo on 24 April 1971.<ref name="Cricinfo-profile">{{cite web|author=Austin, Charlie|title=Kumar Dharmasena|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/content/player/48469.html|access-date=16 December 2012|publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref>  He started his cricketing career as a teenager at [[Nalanda College Colombo]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=23 October 2020|title=Kumara Dharmasena now a planter of 'liquid gold'|url=http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2020/10/25/sports/kumara-dharmasena-now-planter-%E2%80%98liquid-gold%E2%80%99|access-date=22 April 2021|website=Sunday Observer|language=en}}</ref> His first foray into international cricket was in 1994 against [[South African cricket team|South Africa]].<ref name="Cricinfo-profile" />
Dharmasena was born in Colombo on 24 April 1971.<ref name="Cricinfo-profile">{{cite web|author=Austin, Charlie|title=Kumar Dharmasena|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/content/player/48469.html|access-date=16 December 2012|publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref>  He started his cricketing career as a teenager at [[Nalanda College Colombo]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=23 October 2020|title=Kumara Dharmasena now a planter of 'liquid gold'|url=http://archives1.sundayobserver.lk/2020/10/25/sports/kumara-dharmasena-now-planter-%E2%80%98liquid-gold%E2%80%99|access-date=22 April 2021|website=Sunday Observer|language=en}}</ref> His first foray into international cricket was in 1994 in a Test match against [[South African cricket team|South Africa]].<ref name="Cricinfo-profile" />


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 [[International Cricket Council|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.<ref name="Cricinfo-profile" />
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 [[International Cricket Council|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.<ref name="Cricinfo-profile" />
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Dharmasena was the 59th Sri Lankan cricketer to receive a Test cap (Sri Lanka v South Africa at Colombo Sinhalese Sports Club 1993).
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).<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/wi/content/records/284081.html|title=Records {{!}} One-Day Internationals {{!}} Batting records {{!}} Most innings before first duck {{!}} ESPN Cricinfo|newspaper=Cricinfo|access-date=22 February 2017}}</ref>
Kumar Dharmasena has the record for playing the most number of ODI innings before being dismissed for a duck (72 innings).<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/wi/content/records/284081.html|title=Records {{!}} One-Day Internationals {{!}} Batting records {{!}} Most innings before first duck {{!}} ESPN Cricinfo|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=22 February 2017}}</ref>
 
He along with [[Dulip Liyanage]] set the record for the highest 8th wicket runstand for Sri Lanka in ODI cricket (91).<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/fow/highest_partnerships_by_wicket.html?class=2;id=8;type=team|title=Cricket Records {{!}} Records {{!}} Sri Lanka {{!}} One-Day Internationals {{!}} Highest partnerships by wicket {{!}} ESPN Cricinfo|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=28 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/64556.html|title=Only ODI: West Indies v Sri Lanka at Port of Spain, Jun 6, 1997 {{!}} Cricket Scorecard {{!}} ESPN Cricinfo|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=28 March 2017}}</ref>


He along with [[Dulip Liyanage]] set the record for the highest 8th wicket runstand for Sri Lanka in ODI cricket (91).<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/fow/highest_partnerships_by_wicket.html?class=2;id=8;type=team|title=Cricket Records {{!}} Records {{!}} Sri Lanka {{!}} One-Day Internationals {{!}} Highest partnerships by wicket {{!}} ESPN Cricinfo|work=Cricinfo|access-date=28 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/64556.html|title=Only ODI: West Indies v Sri Lanka at Port of Spain, Jun 6, 1997 {{!}} Cricket Scorecard {{!}} ESPN Cricinfo|work=Cricinfo|access-date=28 March 2017}}</ref>
==Umpiring career==
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".<ref name="umpireannounce">{{cite web | url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/content/story/267959.html | title=Kumar Dharmasena to pursue umpiring career | publisher=ESPNcricinfo | date=15 November 2006 | access-date=16 December 2012 | author=Thawfeeq, Sa'adi}}</ref> Prior to his retirement, he had already umpired several domestic matches in the Sara Trophy, the major first-class cricket tournament in Sri Lanka.<ref name="umpireannounce"/> 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]]:<ref>{{cite book | title=[[Wisden Cricketer's Almanack]] | publisher=John Wisden & Co | year=2010 | location=London | pages=1333 | chapter=Sri Lanka v. India, 2008–09 | isbn=978-1-4081-24642}}</ref> he remains the youngest ever Sri Lankan to umpire any international match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icc-cricket.com/the-icc/match_officials/panel_of_umpires.php |title=Match Officials – Emirates Elite Panel of Umpires |publisher=[[International Cricket Council]] |access-date=16 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121216100710/http://www.icc-cricket.com/the-icc/match_officials/panel_of_umpires.php |archive-date=16 December 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He umpired in the [[2011 Cricket World Cup]], and was appointed to the [[Elite Panel of ICC Umpires]] later that year.<ref name="Cricinfo-profile"/> Dharmasena was named the Umpire of the Year at the [[2012 ICC Awards]], receiving the [[David Shepherd (umpire)|David Shepherd]] Trophy.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/story/582366.html | title=Kumar Dharmasena voted Umpire of the Year | publisher=ESPNcricinfo | date=15 September 2012 | access-date=16 December 2012}}</ref>


==Move to umpiring==
He was selected as one of the twenty umpires to stand in matches during the [[2015 Cricket World Cup]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2014/media-releases/83319/icc-announces-match-officials-for-icc-cricket-world-cup-2015 |title=ICC announces match officials for ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 |publisher=ICC Cricket |date=2 December 2014 |access-date=12 February 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150330201852/http://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2014/media-releases/83319/icc-announces-match-officials-for-icc-cricket-world-cup-2015 |archive-date=30 March 2015 }}</ref> and umpired in [[2015 Cricket World Cup Final|the final]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-cricket-world-cup-2015/engine/match/656495.html |title=ICC Cricket World Cup, Final: Australia v New Zealand at Melbourne, Mar 29, 2015 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |date=29 March 2015 |access-date=29 March 2015}}</ref> In doing so he became the first to play in and to umpire World Cup finals.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/cricket-world-cup-kumar-dharmasena-first-to-play-and-umpire-in-final-20150327-1m9mne.html|title=Cricket World Cup: Kumar Dharmasena first to play and umpire in final|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|author=Jesse Hogan|date=28 March 2015|access-date=25 January 2016}}</ref> He stood in the [[2016 ICC World Twenty20 Final|final]] of the [[2016 ICC World Twenty20]].<ref name="2016T20">{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/951373.html |title=World T20, Final: England v West Indies at Kolkata, Apr 3, 2016 |access-date=10 April 2016 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>
Following his retirement from playing 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".<ref name="umpireannounce">{{cite web | url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/content/story/267959.html | title=Kumar Dharmasena to pursue umpiring career | publisher=ESPNcricinfo | date=15 November 2006 | access-date=16 December 2012 | author=Thawfeeq, Sa'adi}}</ref> Prior to his retirement, he had already umpired several domestic matches in the Sara Trophy, the major first-class cricket tournament in Sri Lanka.<ref name="umpireannounce"/> 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]]:<ref>{{cite book | title=[[Wisden Cricketer's Almanack]] | publisher=John Wisden & Co | year=2010 | location=London | pages=1333 | chapter=Sri Lanka v. India, 2008–09 | isbn=978-1-4081-24642}}</ref> he remains the youngest ever Sri Lankan to umpire any international match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icc-cricket.com/the-icc/match_officials/panel_of_umpires.php |title=Match Officials – Emirates Elite Panel of Umpires |publisher=[[International Cricket Council]] |access-date=16 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121216100710/http://www.icc-cricket.com/the-icc/match_officials/panel_of_umpires.php |archive-date=16 December 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He umpired at the [[2011 Cricket World Cup]], and was appointed to the [[Elite Panel of ICC Umpires]] later that year.<ref name="Cricinfo-profile"/> Dharmasena was named the Umpire of the Year at the [[2012 ICC Awards]], for which he received the David Shepherd Trophy.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/story/582366.html | title=Kumar Dharmasena voted Umpire of the Year | publisher=ESPNcricinfo | date=15 September 2012 | access-date=16 December 2012}}</ref>


He was selected as one of the twenty umpires to stand in matches during the [[2015 Cricket World Cup]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2014/media-releases/83319/icc-announces-match-officials-for-icc-cricket-world-cup-2015 |title=ICC announces match officials for ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 |publisher=ICC Cricket |date=2 December 2014 |access-date=12 February 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150330201852/http://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2014/media-releases/83319/icc-announces-match-officials-for-icc-cricket-world-cup-2015 |archive-date=30 March 2015 }}</ref> and umpired in [[2015 Cricket World Cup Final|the final]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-cricket-world-cup-2015/engine/match/656495.html |title=ICC Cricket World Cup, Final: Australia v New Zealand at Melbourne, Mar 29, 2015 |publisher=ESPN Cricinfo |date=29 March 2015 |access-date=29 March 2015}}</ref>  In doing so he became the first to play in and to umpire World Cup finals.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/cricket-world-cup-kumar-dharmasena-first-to-play-and-umpire-in-final-20150327-1m9mne.html|title=Cricket World Cup: Kumar Dharmasena first to play and umpire in final|work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]|author=Jesse Hogan|date=28 March 2015|access-date=25 January 2016}}</ref> He stood in the [[2016 ICC World Twenty20 Final|final]] of the [[2016 ICC World Twenty20]].<ref name="2016T20">{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/951373.html |title=World T20, Final: England v West Indies at Kolkata, Apr 3, 2016 |access-date=10 April 2016 |work=ESPN Cricinfo}}</ref>
Kumar Dharmasena has worked as an umpire in 18 matches of ICC World T20, the most by any umpire from Sri Lanka.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/individual/most_matches_umpire.html?id=89;type=trophy|title=Cricket Records {{!}} Records {{!}} World T20 {{!}} Most matches as an umpire {{!}} ESPN Cricinfo|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=25 February 2017}}</ref>


Kumar Dharmasena has worked as an umpire in 18 matches of ICC World T20, the most by any umpire from Sri Lanka.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/individual/most_matches_umpire.html?id=89;type=trophy|title=Cricket Records {{!}} Records {{!}} World T20 {{!}} Most matches as an umpire {{!}} ESPN Cricinfo|newspaper=Cricinfo|access-date=25 February 2017}}</ref>
In January 2019, he won the David Shepherd Trophy for the ICC Umpire of the Year at the 2018 [[ICC Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/980940 |title=Finch, Macleod, Pant and Williamson named for ICC Player Awards |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=22 January 2019}}</ref> In April 2019, he was named as one of the sixteen umpires to stand in matches during the [[2019 Cricket World Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/1198051 |title=Match officials for ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2019 announced |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=26 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/1182149.html |title=Umpire Ian Gould to retire after World Cup |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=26 April 2019}}</ref> In July 2019, he was named as one of the two on-field umpires for the second semi-final match, between [[Australia national cricket team|Australia]] and [[England cricket team|England]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/1266863 |title=Officials appointed for ICC Men's Cricket World Cup semi-finals |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=7 July 2019}}</ref> Later the same month, he was also named as one of the two on-field umpires for the [[2019 Cricket World Cup Final|Cricket World Cup Final]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/27174119/kumar-dharmasena-umpire-final-jason-roy-controversy |title=Kumar Dharmasena to umpire final despite Jason Roy controversy |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=12 July 2019}}</ref> England won the match in a Super Over.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/jul/14/england-new-zealand-cricket-world-cup-final-match-report-super-over|title=England win Cricket World Cup after super-over drama against New Zealand |website=The Guardian|date=14 July 2019 |access-date=1 September 2019 |last1=Marks |first1=Vic }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/firstcricket/sports-news/kumar-dharmasena-admits-his-error-in-world-cup-2019-final-overthrow-controversy-doesnt-regret-decision-7029611.html|title=Kumar Dharmasena admits 'error' in World Cup 2019 final overthrow controversy, doesn't regret decision|date=21 July 2019|agency=Agence France-Presse |website=Firstpost|access-date=1 September 2019}}</ref>


In January 2019, he won the David Shepherd Trophy for the ICC Umpire of the Year at the 2018 [[ICC Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/980940 |title=Finch, Macleod, Pant and Williamson named for ICC Player Awards |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=22 January 2019}}</ref> In April 2019, he was named as one of the sixteen umpires to stand in matches during the [[2019 Cricket World Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/1198051 |title=Match officials for ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2019 announced |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=26 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/1182149.html |title=Umpire Ian Gould to retire after World Cup |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=26 April 2019}}</ref> In July 2019, he was named as one of the two on-field umpires for the second semi-final match, between [[Australia national cricket team|Australia]] and [[England cricket team|England]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/1266863 |title=Officials appointed for ICC Men's Cricket World Cup semi-finals |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=7 July 2019}}</ref> Later the same month, he was also named as one of the two on-field umpires for the [[2019 Cricket World Cup Final|Cricket World Cup Final]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/27174119/kumar-dharmasena-umpire-final-jason-roy-controversy |title=Kumar Dharmasena to umpire final despite Jason Roy controversy |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=12 July 2019}}</ref> England won the match in a Super Over.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://amp.theguardian.com/sport/2019/jul/14/england-new-zealand-cricket-world-cup-final-match-report-super-over|title=England win Cricket World Cup after super-over drama against New Zealand |website=amp.theguardian.com|access-date=1 September 2019}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/firstcricket/sports-news/kumar-dharmasena-admits-his-error-in-world-cup-2019-final-overthrow-controversy-doesnt-regret-decision-7029611.html|title=Kumar Dharmasena admits 'error' in World Cup 2019 final overthrow controversy, doesn't regret decision|date=21 July 2019|agency=Agence France-Presse |website=Firstpost|access-date=1 September 2019}}</ref>
He also umpired the final match of the [[2022 ICC Men's T20 World Cup]] between Pakistan and England.<ref>{{Cite web |title=These 2 umpires to assume on-field duties in Pakistan vs England T20 World Cup 2022 Final – Check |url=https://zeenews.india.com/cricket/pak-vs-eng-t20-world-cup-2022-final-marais-erasmus-and-kumar-dharmasena-to-assume-on-field-duties-confirms-icc-2534244.html |access-date=17 April 2023 |website=Zee News |language=en}}</ref>


He also umpired the final match of the [[2022 ICC Men's T20 World Cup]] between Pakistan and England.<ref>{{Cite web |title=These 2 umpires to assume on-field duties in Pakistan vs England T20 World Cup 2022 Final - Check |url=https://zeenews.india.com/cricket/pak-vs-eng-t20-world-cup-2022-final-marais-erasmus-and-kumar-dharmasena-to-assume-on-field-duties-confirms-icc-2534244.html |access-date=17 April 2023 |website=Zee News |language=en}}</ref>
In September 2023, he was named as one of the sixteen match officials for [[2023 Cricket World Cup]].<ref name="2023 Officials">{{cite news |title=Match officials for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 named |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/3676407 |access-date=22 September 2023 |work=icc-cricket.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=ICC announce Match Officials for ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/3676805 |access-date=22 September 2023 |work=icc-cricket.com |language=en}}</ref>


==Records==
==Records==
* Dharmasena is the only person to have played in a Final of the [[Cricket World Cup]] as well as officiated in the final of the World Cup. He had played in the [[1996 Cricket World Cup Final]] and featured as an on-field umpire twice in [[2015 Cricket World Cup Final|2015]] and [[2019 Cricket World Cup Final|2019]] World Cup finals.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kumar Dharmasena First to Play and Umpire in World Cup Final {{!}} Cricket News |url=https://sports.ndtv.com/icc-cricket-world-cup-2015/kumar-dharmasena-first-to-play-and-umpire-in-world-cup-final-1502948 |access-date=9 June 2022 |work=NDTVSports.com |language=en}}</ref>
* Dharmasena is the one of two people (alongside [[Richard Illingworth]]) to have played in a Final of the [[Cricket World Cup]] as well as officiated in the final of the World Cup. He had played in the [[1996 Cricket World Cup Final]] and featured as an on-field umpire twice in [[2015 Cricket World Cup Final|2015]] and [[2019 Cricket World Cup Final|2019]] World Cup finals.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kumar Dharmasena First to Play and Umpire in World Cup Final {{!}} Cricket News |url=https://sports.ndtv.com/icc-cricket-world-cup-2015/kumar-dharmasena-first-to-play-and-umpire-in-world-cup-final-1502948 |access-date=9 June 2022 |work=NDTVSports.com |language=en}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==

Latest revision as of 08:11, 15 March 2026


Deshabandu
Kumar Dharmasena
Personal information
Full nameHandunnettige Deepthi Priyantha Kumara Dharmasena
Born (1971-04-24) 24 April 1971 (age 55)
Colombo, Sri Lanka
NicknameUnanduwa
Height1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)
BattingRight-handed
BowlingRight-arm offbreak
RoleAll-rounder, umpire
International information
National side
Test debut (cap 59)6 September 1993 v South Africa
Last Test8 March 2004 v Australia
ODI debut (cap 82)24 August 1994 v Pakistan
Last ODI25 February 2004 v Australia
ODI shirt no.66
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1988–2006Bloomfield Cricket and Athletic Club
1992Nondescripts Cricket Club
1994Moratuwa Cricket Club
Umpiring information
Tests umpired93 (2010–2025)
ODIs umpired140 (2009–2026)
T20Is umpired52 (2009–2026)
WODIs umpired1 (2008)
Career statistics
Competition Test ODI FC LA
Matches 31 141 155 206
Runs scored 868 1,222 6,550 2,281
Batting average 19.72 22.62 36.18 26.21
100s/50s 0/3 0/4 9/37 0/9
Top score 62* 69* 157 94*
Balls bowled 6,939 7,009 25,549 9,747
Wickets 69 138 495 234
Bowling average 42.31 36.21 20.77 28.62
5 wickets in innings 3 0 30 3
10 wickets in match 0 0 5 0
Best bowling 6/72 4/37 7/30 5/14
Catches/stumpings 14/– 34/– 78/– 50/–
Medal record
Men's Cricket
Representing  Sri Lanka
ICC Cricket World Cup
Winner 1996 India-Pakistan-Sri Lanka
ICC Champions Trophy
Winner 2002 Sri Lanka
Source: Cricinfo, 24 November 2023

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.

Playing career[edit | edit source]

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 | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "International cricketers turned umpires". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Austin, Charlie. "Kumar Dharmasena". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  3. ↑ "Kumara Dharmasena now a planter of 'liquid gold'". Sunday Observer. 23 October 2020. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  4. ↑ "Records | One-Day Internationals | Batting records | Most innings before first duck | ESPN Cricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  5. ↑ "Cricket Records | Records | Sri Lanka | One-Day Internationals | Highest partnerships by wicket | ESPN Cricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 28 March 2017.
  6. ↑ "Only ODI: West Indies v Sri Lanka at Port of Spain, Jun 6, 1997 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 28 March 2017.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Thawfeeq, Sa'adi (15 November 2006). "Kumar Dharmasena to pursue umpiring career". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  8. ↑ "Sri Lanka v. India, 2008–09". Wisden Cricketer's Almanack. London: John Wisden & Co. 2010. p. 1333. ISBN 978-1-4081-24642.
  9. ↑ "Match Officials – Emirates Elite Panel of Umpires". International Cricket Council. Archived from the original on 16 December 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  10. ↑ "Kumar Dharmasena voted Umpire of the Year". ESPNcricinfo. 15 September 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  11. ↑ "ICC announces match officials for ICC Cricket World Cup 2015". ICC Cricket. 2 December 2014. Archived from the original on 30 March 2015. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
  12. ↑ "ICC Cricket World Cup, Final: Australia v New Zealand at Melbourne, Mar 29, 2015". ESPNcricinfo. 29 March 2015. Retrieved 29 March 2015.
  13. ↑ Jesse Hogan (28 March 2015). "Cricket World Cup: Kumar Dharmasena first to play and umpire in final". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  14. ↑ "World T20, Final: England v West Indies at Kolkata, Apr 3, 2016". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  15. ↑ "Cricket Records | Records | World T20 | Most matches as an umpire | ESPN Cricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
  16. ↑ "Finch, Macleod, Pant and Williamson named for ICC Player Awards". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
  17. ↑ "Match officials for ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2019 announced". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  18. ↑ "Umpire Ian Gould to retire after World Cup". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  19. ↑ "Officials appointed for ICC Men's Cricket World Cup semi-finals". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  20. ↑ "Kumar Dharmasena to umpire final despite Jason Roy controversy". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
  21. ↑ Marks, Vic (14 July 2019). "England win Cricket World Cup after super-over drama against New Zealand". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
  22. ↑ "Kumar Dharmasena admits 'error' in World Cup 2019 final overthrow controversy, doesn't regret decision". Firstpost. Agence France-Presse. 21 July 2019. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
  23. ↑ "These 2 umpires to assume on-field duties in Pakistan vs England T20 World Cup 2022 Final – Check". Zee News. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  24. ↑ "Match officials for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 named". icc-cricket.com. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  25. ↑ "ICC announce Match Officials for ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023". icc-cricket.com. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  26. ↑ "Kumar Dharmasena First to Play and Umpire in World Cup Final | Cricket News". NDTVSports.com. Retrieved 9 June 2022.

External links[edit | edit source]

Template:ICC Umpire of the Year Template:Elite Panel of ICC Umpires

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