Few cricketers have the opportunity or rather the ability to get themselves a second innings to be intricately involved with the game. Roshan Mahanama remains one such rare breed – a dashing opening batsman for Sri Lanka and then a much revered match referee for approximately similar durations.

A stylish batsman exulting flair in his approach and a gun fielder, he stamped his presence at the top of the order in the late 1980s and early 1990s. However, what he best remains remembered for is his 576-run stand with Sanath Jayasuriya, against India in 1997 at Colombo. His contribution of 225 runs in taking Sri Lanka to 952, is sure to go down as one the popular stories in the cricketing circles of Sri Lankan folklore. Despite making the switch to the middle order towards the latter part of his career, his contribution to the side remained vital, as exemplified by the key role he played in the march to become World Champions in 1996.

An autobiography titled ‘Retired Hurt’ can never indicate something good. It aptly indicates Mahanama’s state of mind at the time he decided to call it quits. Though a career average in either format doesn’t quite speak very highly of his capabilities, the message he got from the selectors when he was dropped from the side after a dismal 1999 World Cup was that they were grooming the side for the future. It then certainly wouldn’t have been easy for him watching players older than him continuing to play.

The sour taste the game gave him wasn’t the last it saw of him though. He soon followed the footsteps of fellow Sri Lankan Ranjan Madugalle when he became a match referee. Over a decade, he remained one of the most sought after in the business finding himself in the elite panel of referees who have officiated in over 300 games. This was until September 2015 when he decided to call it quits.

Vineet Anantharaman