Ajitesh Argal: From U19 World Cup Star to IPL Umpire

Apr 23, 2026

60 min

Apr 23, 2026 02:31

Meet Ajitesh Argal: World Cup hero with Kohli, Income Tax officer, now IPL umpire

## Early Cricket Career

Ajitesh Argal was a key player in India's 2008 Under-19 World Cup victory, playing alongside Virat Kohli. In the final against South Africa, he delivered an impressive performance, taking 2 wickets for just 7 runs, which earned him the Player of the Match award.

## Transition from Player to Umpire

Despite his early success, Argal's cricket career did not follow the same trajectory as Kohli's. He was selected by Kings XI Punjab in the first IPL season but never played a match. His domestic cricket career with Baroda was limited, leading him to eventually leave professional cricket.

## New Beginnings

Argal transitioned to a career in the Income Tax Department through the sports quota. However, his passion for cricket remained, and in 2023, he passed the BCCI umpiring exams. Since then, he has officiated in various domestic matches, the Women’s Premier League, and now the IPL.

## Full Circle Moment

Recently, Argal made his IPL debut as an umpire in a match between Rajasthan Royals and Lucknow Super Giants. This marked a significant moment in his journey, as he could soon officiate a game featuring his former captain, Virat Kohli, bringing his cricket story full circle.

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