ICC match referee G. S. Lakshmi reflects on a journey of hardships as she embarks on another adventure

It has been a truly inspirational journey for the Rajahmundry-born Gandikota Sarva Lakshmi, who had become the first female ever to don the role of an ICC match referee in 2019.

And when the 57-year-old Lakshmi walks out as an ICC panel match referee during the Women’s World Cup in India and Sri Lanka from September 30, it will be another truly remarkable achievement for the soft-spoken and highly articulate former India cricketer. For then she would have officiated in five World Cups (including three T20 World Cups). More importantly, she has also officiated in three World Cup finals!

Lakshmi has officiated in 118 international matches, including three Tests, 31 ODIs and 84 T20Is. But, unbeknownst to many, behind the composure and class with which she has been handling her job are years of hardship which she had to endure to be where she presently is.

“To be sure, life has never been easy. There were a lot of disappointments and tragedies, like losing my husband in 2021. In fact, when I got inducted into the ICC International Panel of Match Referees in 2019, he was hospitalised,” says Lakshmi in a chat with Sportstar.

“I remember the day when I had almost gone for an abortion of my first child because I was passionate about playing cricket. But thanks to Dr. Vijayalakshmi (Bible House in Secunderabad), who said cricket can wait but not motherhood. That struck an emotional chord. Glad I took the sabbatical from the game and later continued my passion. I am glad I could make a mark at the highest level as an ICC official after not being so lucky as a player,” Lakshmi explained.

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“There is a sense of immense pride and great satisfaction as I look forward to my fifth World Cup as ICC match referee. In a way, I am honestly thankful to the BCCI and the ICC reposing faith in me,” she said.

Reflecting on her role ahead of the upcoming World Cup, the former Railways player said the primary objective would be to ensure the smooth conduct of matches. “We have to provide a platform with the highest standards for the match officials and the players. We have a checklist of dos and don’ts and we all prepare in a very meticulous manner,” she explained.

“Definitely, the role might marginally vary, for the playing conditions, rules and regulations vary for each major event, and we have to be prepared accordingly,” said Lakshmi.

“Luckily, it has been smooth sailing so far and thankfully all women cricketers are fully focussed on the game and nothing else,” she said stressing that being a player was a huge advantage in getting the right perspective of the demands and challenges. “There is a lot of mutual respect and I am really glad the way the players respond during a given situation,” she added.

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A match referee’s job comes with its own set of responsibilities and eventually, difficulties. “It is certainly not as easy a job as it might look for an outsider. It comes with a lot of responsibility. There is so much teamwork around, and I am grateful for always having the perfect team with me. Honestly, I have never been tested so far as a match referee,” she said.

“Frankly, I never expected to be an ICC match referee when I started planning my post-retirement career. But, at the same time, I was very keen once I got this huge break, that I should set a path for other women cricketers to think about this after retirement,” Lakshmi said.

Lakshmi heaped praise on the ICC for moving towards a more inclusive ecosystem. “The fact that this 2025 ODI World Cup has an all-female panel of ICC match referees speaks volumes about the way the ICC has been encouraging us,” she said. “This is a great step in the right direction,” she added.

“Well, to stay connected with the game till my end,” says Lakshmi, who owes a lot to her family and the Hyderabad Cricket Association.

“I must confess that if I was not blessed with such a kind of family bonding with all of them, backing me to the hilt even in my worst phases, my connection with the sport would have snapped long back,” said Lakshmi, who recently became a grandmother to a baby boy in July. Her daughter Pranati Sravani is settled in Canada.

“Hopefully, we will have another memorable World Cup for sure,” she signed off.

Published on Sep 20, 2025