Ranjan Madugalle Becomes First Referee to Officiate 400 Men’s ODIs
Ranjan Madugalle has become the first match referee to officiate in 400 men’s ODIs, achieving this milestone during the third match between India and Sri Lanka. Madugalle, who has been a match referee since 1993, has also officiated 216 Tests, a record. He was honored with a plaque by Sri Lanka Cricket and the ICC.
Madugalle expressed his gratitude and reflected on his long career in cricket, thanking the ICC, Sri Lanka Cricket, his colleagues, family, and friends for their support.
Quotes from the Ceremony
ICC Senior Manager of Umpires and Referees, Sean Easey, praised Madugalle, saying, “Ranjan’s portfolio of refereeing assignments is large, and this latest mark of 400 ODIs is quite incredible. The sheer volume of his work reflects the kind of passion he has for cricket and his role. On behalf of the ICC, I thank Ranjan for his hard work and wish him all the best for this match and beyond.”
Madugalle himself said, “It has been a great honor and privilege to have officiated in international cricket for so many years, and it’s almost dreamlike to be reaching this milestone. I was pleased when I got the opportunity to be associated with the game after my time as a cricketer, but never thought that it would stretch to over three decades! During this period, I have had the chance to officiate all over the world and in several World Cups, relishing every moment. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the ICC, Sri Lanka Cricket and my colleagues with whom I have worked over the years for their support and friendship, as well as my family and friends, without whose support it would not have been possible to have come this far.”
Madugalle’s Playing Career
During his playing days, Madugalle featured as a batter for Sri Lanka, making 21 Tests and 63 ODI appearances.
Doubts Revealed
Ranjan Madugalle -: Ranjan Madugalle is a person from Sri Lanka who works as a match referee in cricket. A match referee makes sure that the cricket game is played fairly and according to the rules.
Referee -: A referee in cricket is someone who makes sure that the game is played fairly and follows all the rules. They watch the game closely and make important decisions.
ODIs -: ODIs stands for One Day Internationals. It is a type of cricket match that lasts for one day, with each team playing a set number of overs, usually 50.
Milestone -: A milestone is an important achievement or event in someone’s life or career. In this case, Ranjan Madugalle officiating 400 ODIs is a big milestone.
Sri Lanka Cricket -: Sri Lanka Cricket is the organization that manages cricket in Sri Lanka. They organize matches and take care of the cricket teams in the country.
ICC -: ICC stands for International Cricket Council. It is the global organization that governs and organizes international cricket matches and tournaments.
Plaque -: A plaque is a special flat piece of metal or wood with writing on it, given to someone to honor their achievements. Ranjan Madugalle received a plaque for his work as a match referee.
Tests -: Tests are a type of cricket match that lasts up to five days. They are longer than ODIs and are considered the most challenging form of cricket.
