Mahanama - A Big Name Who Walked The Talk!

If you are not old enough to remember him play for Sri Lanka, just ask your parents to describe Roshan Mahanama and chances are, he will be described for being a "Gentleman." With his core values of Honesty, Integrity, Values, Discipline, Loyalty and Friendship, today we look into his career in cricket!

Born on a day like this in 1966, Roshan Mahanama was educated at Nalanda College and was under the watchful eyes of Mr. Nelson Mendis, his coach and mentor. With direct reference to his autobiography, he recalls Mr. Mendis as a strict disciplinarian and here's one such classic example.

One day when his father got late by a few minutes to drop both him and Mr. Mendis to school, which was their usual mode of transport being neighbours. After getting down from the car when they should have been in school by 8.45 AM, he was questioned why he got late and was confused by the situation as they both travelled together. "I may have come in your father's car, but as far as I am concerned, you are late and as captain, you need to set an example for the team!" were the words of Mr. Mendis and a lesson for young Roshan.

From Schoolboy Cricketer to National Colours

It was in the year 1984 at the Battle of the Maroons when he as the skipper, scored a brilliant 145 not out, which was a big match record and also won the Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year for the second year in a row, a feat only 6 have achieved in the awards history to date.

The Nalanda College Team Photo 1984

It was just two years later when he made his debut in ODI and Test Cricket against Pakistan. Throughout his career, he scored a little over 7500 runs which includes 8 centuries with his best being 225 when he and Sanath Jayasuriya put a record partnership of 576 for the 2nd wicket against India. He did not pose a very high average in either format, in fact just 29 and only a few decimals difference but his fielding was exceptional, holding onto 165 catches in both formats combined!

A Fighter Before "Retiring Hurt"

If there was a knock that defines him, it was the 101 ball 58 he made in the 1996 World Cup semi-final against India before retiring hurt due to illness. He refused to let go of his wicket that day but had to be carried out of the field when he couldn't bat any longer, and the rest was history.

Despite being a World Cup winner in 1996, his fourth and last World Cup was in 1999 as he was left out after the disastrous campaign. He retired out of self-respect at 32 but found a new life as an ICC referee, officiating as many as 330 international matches, which is more than he played for Sri Lanka!

An Author and Charitable Character

He also authored his biography "My Innings - Retired Hurt to the Best View of the Game", which was re-launched in 2023 under the 'Roshan Mahanama Trust' to help cancer patients in collaboration with the Indira Cancer Trust. Meeting him in person for even a short while truly gave the picture of why our parents' generation adored and called him a Gentleman.

Here's to wishing Roshan sir on his 59th birthday today, and may he continue to walk the talk with his charitable work!