KANPUR, Oct. 6 -- Whenever there is a cricket match at the Green Park Stadium, one finds a familiar face roaming around the ground assisting umpires and match's technical officials and this has been happening for the last 20 years or so because he enjoys this all the time. Meet Tarun Kapoor, who has been a seasoned cricket professional whose life and career are deeply interwoven with the game. At 49, he has dedicated nearly three decades to nurturing and supporting cricket in India - first as a player and umpire and later as a trusted liaison officer assisting match officials during international games. With a little bit brownish eyes and ever-smiling face, Kapoor's story reflects persistence and passion of an individual who, while never in the spotlight, has played an indispensable role behind the scenes during some of India's biggest matches. Born and bred in Kanpur, a city steeped in cricketing tradition, Tarun developed a love for the sport at a young age. He played competitive cricket for the Kanpur Cricket Association (KCA) and for his college team, excelling as an off-break bowler. Though he dreamed of taking his game to higher levels, the competitive nature of professional cricket made him shift focus towards umpiring - a field where he could still stay close to the pitch and uphold the spirit of the game. In 1994-95, he passed a district-level umpiring examination under the Kanpur Cricket Association, officially beginning his journey as a cricket official. His steady progress continued as he cleared the state panel examination in 2000, a milestone that positioned him among the recognised umpiring talent in Uttar Pradesh. "In fact, my association with cricket keeps me motivated. I love my work and always try to discharge my duties with utmost sincerity. Even before the match officials arrive at the ground, I start my work as I have to see many things before that as a liaison officer," shares Kapoor. Kapoor, who became a BCCI Level 1 certified umpire, securing the distinction of topping the entire state in his exam in 2010, had missed out on clearing the Level 2 qualification during his attempt in Nagpur the following year. But his sharp understanding of the game, combined with a strong ethical approach, earned him admiration among players, colleagues and senior officials. Since 1999, he has been responsible for coordinating logistics and on-field support for both umpires and match referees during international fixtures. His first posting was in Kanpur where he assisted in matches involving top cricketing nations like Australia, England and New Zealand. Over time, he became a dependable figure for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and has since overseen numerous international events at venues in Kanpur and Lucknow. "I'm thankful to the UP Cricket Association, which has been naming me as liaison officer for the match officials for the last many years," said Kapoor, adding, "I manage travel arrangements, hotel coordination, and ground logistics for match officials. On match days, my duties involve ensuring that the playing area, markings, and conditions meet the referee's and umpires' standards." "I keep the area around the pitch clear of unauthorised personnel and ensure all technical and comfort-related needs of the officials are met. In many ways, my presence guarantees that the regulatory backbone of the match functions smoothly." he added. Among his most cherished memories is working during the India 500th Test match in Kanpur against New Zealand. Equally special to him is the India-Australia One Day International where Sachin Tendulkar famously scored a century - a day Tarun often recalls as a personal highlight in his long career. "It was a great moment for me as I was almost glued to Sachin's batting and forgot everything at that time," he recalls. Even after decades of service, Kapoor remains deeply connected to the grassroots of cricket. When he's not officiating or managing matches, he continues to umpire local KCA fixtures, earning a modest Rs 1,000 per match - not for financial gain, but for love of the sport....