Ranbir Singh - stay clam, your turn will come

Paul Ryan | July 14, 2023

Ranbir Singh was born into a family of cricket fans in India before moving to the United Kingdom firstly as a player but now as an accredited umpire with the England and Wales Cricket Board. 

He’s an Automotive Engineer by profession but has a deep love of cricket, it’s tradition and the many of life lessons he’s learned from being involved in the game.

Let's find out more about Ranbir's journey in the game

 

What year were you born?  

March 1993 

Where did you go to high school?  

Dashmesh Academy Sultanpur Punjab 

Did you play much cricket before you started umpiring?  

I have played cricket since I was 9. I started with my village team and then joined a local academy in my town Lohian which is 5 miles from my village. I played at a very good standard Under 19 districts In Punjab. I started my cricket career as a fast bowler who used to be scared of the ball and bat at number 11 but slowly, I started to focus on batting with the help of my coaches.  

I came to England in 2010 and I joined Fenners Cricket Club. They played in the Yorkshire Premier and Division 1. Before arriving in the U.K I worked hard on batting, and I started batting in middle order. At Fenners I met amazing people.  

My most memorable moment was my first hundred in England and it came at the right time for the team as the team was full of bowlers and my captain came to me and said you alright son you are batting at number 4 today.  

I can't describe my feelings because Captain Ian Pratt was in his mid- 40s and it always feels good when someone away from home calls you ‘son.’ I have huge respect for Ian. One of the nicest men I have met. So, my allrounder career started from that game. 

I then went back to India to study and returned to England in 2017 and played for Beverly Cricket Club in Yorkshire. A great club with great people. 

At what age did you start umpiring?  

I started when I was 27 

What was the attraction to becoming an umpire?

I had shoulder surgery and advised not to play cricket for a while, but I always wanted to be in touch with the game. I had little experience of umpiring when I was in India, and I decided to do the Level 1 and Level 2 umpiring course. I always enjoyed umpiring. I think that's the best seat to watch the game. I’m a huge fan of Simon Taufel, one of the great umpires and his book inspired me even more to continue umpiring.

Simon Taufel

 

Can you remember your first game as an umpire in senior cricket?  

It was Patrington Cricket Club v Bridlington Division 1 game in Yorkshire and I was 28 years old. It was a funny moment as the players were quite surprised to see me as umpire as played against both side many times and had good memories. 

Who were the umpires you admired most when you started out as an umpire?  

Simon Taufel. I watch old matches on YouTube and try to pick new tricks from Simon. His movements, decision making, and man management skills. I have read his book a few times which motivates me differently every time I read it.  

I did my level one with the ICC Academy Umpire Programme which was designed by Simon. Fortunately I’ve had the chance to speak to Simon many times, such a humble guy who is always ready to help young umpires. 

I never saw Dickie Bird umpire, but I read his book as well. Since I started umpiring people call me the next Dickie Bird. Which makes me very happy.

Dickie Bird

 

What was your most memorable moment as a cricket umpire? 

Stepping onto the field for the first time as an umpire is honestly my most memorable moment. 

Can you describe the funniest moment you’ve had on the cricket field as an umpire? 

Yes, I’ve had many, but one came in a game in Pocklington Cricket Club when I arrived at the ground an hour and 20 minutes before play. It was my first year as an umpire and I walked out of umpire’s room and stood to see the ground and it was a nice sunny day and I heard two girls talking, “oh he’s a very handsome umpire, I’m going to watch him”, one said to other, and honestly, I’m the shy type so I quickly returned to the umpires room. That was funny. 

Most favorite ground to umpire? 

Most grounds in England are beautiful, very traditional grounds. Edgbaston, Durham, and Scarbrough cricket grounds are my favorite. 

Who were the three batsmen you admired most as an umpire?  

I have been fortunate to witness some very classic and stylish batters and it’s hard to limit it to 3 

Shivam Bhambri, Indian Ranji batter

Adil Saeed from Kings Heath

George Maddy is another young talented batsman. 

Who were the three bowlers you admired most as an umpire?  

As a former fast bowler I like bowlers who are consistent with line and length and bowl with variations.  

The three bowlers I really enjoyed are

Kashif Ali – Pakistan fast bowler – he’s got really good control on the new ball. 

The longest runup I have ever seen is second Ethan Carrington, a very good bowler and very skillful and refuses to give up.

Romario Roach - 17-year-old Barbados and Scarbrough College fast bowler, I call him next Jofra Archer.

Who were the three players you admired most over the years for their competitive spirit and the way they played the game?  

Virat Kohli  - I have never seen a player like him in my life.  

Ben Stokes and Steve Smith - I think their records speaks for itself and there’s no need to add more about these 3 players.

Ben Stokes

 

We can only assume there were quite a few characters in the game you had to keep an eye on in the field. Is there a particular moment or story you’d like to share about one of the characters? 

I had one game which I will remember for the rest of my life. I won't mention the players name but he was a character who didn't know the rules and moaned after every ball and didn't listen to his captain. 

I called a wide after he bowled a ball his wicket keeper struggled to get to, and he said it wasn’t a wide.

He carried on and his wicket keeper told him it was a wide and he even told his keeper to shut up and continued to have words with me. 

The next ball he got smashed for the biggest six of the match and started swearing at me. His captain and other senior players spoke to him, but he refused to calm down. 

After the game he didn't apologize, which didn’t surprise me to be honest. I met him twice after when a game was rained off and in a T20 game and he didn’t say much. 

What are the two attributes you like to see in a captain from an umpire's perspective? 

Firstly, communication and not just with umpires but with scorers, groudsman, his team, and the opposition.

Motivation - having self-motivation is also important to finish your own work, reaching your own objectives and leading by example.

Ranbir Singh umpiring

 

Is there any particular game you’ve umpired that stands out above all others?  

I have witnessed some great games. One game I remember Warwickshire over 50s vs Worcestershire over 50s. When I arrived at the ground one of their players said “hey we have a young umpire, players at an umpires age and an umpire at players age”. I thought it was pretty funny.

I was amazed by all the gentlemen. They were giving everything, full of energy and refused to give up. It was brilliant to watch, and the game went down to the very last ball when Worcestershire won.  What a game of cricket. 

Who’s been the biggest influence on your involvement in cricket?

My family are big cricket lovers and on my mother’s side they all love cricket, so cricket is in my blood. 

Who was the funniest umpire you’ve had the pleasure to umpire with?

My mentor Ismail khan 

Who is your favorite all time cricketer growing up?  

Sachin Tendulkar

 

Who is your favorite cricket commentator? 

Growing up it was the late tony Greig. Now I like listening to Ian Bishop, Pommie Mbangwa, Danny Morrison and Mark Taylor 

What did you enjoy most about umpiring?  

Everything. 

Who would you consider the top 2 umpires in the game today?  

Michael Gough and Aleem Dar

Michael Gough

 

Did you have any superstitions? 

Not as umpire but yes as player, I like to wear something red colour  

Technology – good or bad for cricket from an umpire’s perspective? 

It has both sides depending how you take it as umpire. 

The DRS system is good but when there are too many decisions overturned it can put pressure on the umpire regarding his decision making. Overall I think technology is good with hotspot , snicko meter, hawk eye, light meter I think technology is playing good role in modern cricket 

What’s the best advice you ever received?

The best advice I received is from the Bible verse proverbs 24:10 - if you fail under pressure your strength is too small. 

Do you like the modern game and what can the game do to make it better for umpires? 

I’m a big fan of Test cricket and I don't think any other sport or format is close to test cricket.  

What advice would you offer a young 20 year old who has the ambition of umpiring Test Cricket? 

Be patient, once you know you are on the right track just keep learning and improving your game. We all know cricket is a slow game. Your turn will come. 

What are your hobbies?

I like my books and I love reading. I’m an automotive engineer and I love vintage cars. I like going to car shows and vintage car exhibitions. Gym, I love exercise and staying fit. I love traveling too. 

Are there any lessons from your time in cricket that you take into work or life in general? 

Cricket is an incredible game and teaches us lessons that help us prepare for life's challenges. Stay calm, the game of cricket is full of pressure moments stay calm and execute your skills. When everyone's losing their head, keep yours. Take It one ball at a time, don't get ahead of yourself in cricket or in life. Complacency there is no place for it, never underestimate your competition.