Prageeth Rambukwella

Prageeth Rambukwella

Personal information
Full name	Rambukkana Maggonage Prageeth Jayashantha Rambukwella
Born	(1976-01-22) 22 January 1976 (age 48) Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
Batting	Right-handed
Umpiring information
ODIs  umpired	4 (2022–2024)
T20Is  umpired	14 (2019–2024)
WODIs  umpired	10 (2008–2022)
WT20Is  umpired	7 (2011–2024)
Source: ESPNcricinfo, 2 June 2023

Prageeth Rambukwella (born 22 January 1976) is a Sri Lankan umpire and former cricketer.

Rambukwella played seven first-class and nine List A matches from 1995 to 2002. ^[1] He is a member of the International Panel of ICC Umpires. ^[2] He stood in a tour match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan in June 2015. ^{[3] [4] [5]}

He stood in his first Twenty20 International (T20I) on 1 September 2019, between Sri Lanka and New Zealand ^[6] and his first One Day International (ODI), between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, on 21 January 2022. Prageeth was educated at Nalanda College, Colombo. ^{[4] [7]}

The Controversial Catch Decision: Prageeth Rambukwella’s Umpiring Dilemma

In the high-octane clash between the Colombo Strikers and the Kandy Falcons, a moment of sheer brilliance unfolded on the field. Chamika Karunaratne, fielding at extra cover, leaped like a gazelle to pluck a cricket ball out of thin air. His one-handed catch was nothing short of breathtaking—a textbook example of athleticism and anticipation.

The batsman, Mohammad Haris, had struck the ball fiercely, aiming to clear the infield. But Karunaratne had other plans. He sprinted in, eyes locked on the descending sphere, and flung himself forward. The crowd held its collective breath as he stretched his right hand, fingers outstretched like a concert pianist reaching for the highest note. The ball nestled securely in his palm, and for a fleeting moment, time stood still.

But cricket, like life, isn’t always straightforward. As Karunaratne landed, the ball seemed to graze the turf. The fielders erupted in celebration, believing they had witnessed a miracle. The Kandy Falcons’ dugout fell silent, their hopes pinned on the third umpire’s decision.

And that’s where Prageeth Rambukwella entered the spotlight. As the third umpire, he had the unenviable task of dissecting the catch frame by frame. The replay showed Karunaratne’s fingers cradling the ball, but was there a hint of grass beneath it? The pixels blurred, and Rambukwella squinted at the screen. The tension in the stadium was palpable.

After what felt like an eternity, Rambukwella made his call: “Not out.” The Colombo Strikers erupted in joy, while the Kandy Falcons’ captain shook his head in disbelief. Social media buzzed with debates—was it a clean catch or a case of fingertips brushing the ground? Fans dissected freeze frames, drew imaginary lines, and analyzed physics like armchair scientists.

Rambukwella’s decision wasn’t arbitrary. The technology at his disposal—Hawk-Eye, Snicko, and Hot Spot—had its limitations. The ball’s trajectory, the angle of Karunaratne’s hand, and the pixelated evidence all played a role. In the end, he erred on the side of caution, favoring the batsman.

But cricket isn’t just about rules; it’s about moments etched in memory. Karunaratne’s catch transcended the outcome. It became folklore—a tale of defiance against gravity, a testament to human reflexes. And Prageeth Rambukwella? He’ll forever be part of that narrative, the man who navigated the fine line between elation and heartbreak.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the floodlights illuminated the field. The game moved on, but that catch lingered—an imprint on the cricketing canvas. And somewhere in the stands, a young fan mimicked Karunaratne’s leap, dreaming of their own moment of magic.

So, when you think of the LPL 2024, remember Prageeth Rambukwella—the umpire who grappled with pixels and passion, caught between duty and destiny.

See also

• List of One Day International cricket umpires
• List of Twenty20 International cricket umpires

References

1. "Prageeth Rambukwella". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
2. "ICC International Panel of Umpires". International Cricket Council . Retrieved 1 September 2019.
3. "Pakistan tour of Sri Lanka, Tour Match: Sri Lanka Board President's XI v Pakistanis at Colombo (Colts), Jun 11-13, 2015". ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
4. Prageeth Rambukwella makes debut as ODI umpire today
5. Nalanda out to maintain winning streak at big match
6. "1st T20I (N), New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka at Pallekele, Sep 1 2019". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
7. "3rd ODI (D/N), Pallekele, Jan 21 2022, Zimbabwe tour of Sri Lanka". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 21 January 2022.

External links

• Prageeth Rambukwella  at ESPNcricinfo