Mahanama’s new book expected to be a sensation

by Rex Clementine

Roshan Mahanama’s first book ‘Retired Hurt’ was launched two decades ago and it created quite a stir and was popular among cricket fans. Cricket lovers were able to get to know many behind the scene happenings and the one that upset the Australians most was the claim that Glenn McGrath had sledged Sanath Jayasuriya calling the former Sri Lankan captain, ‘a black monkey’. The Australian Cricket Board at that time wanted to get an injunction against the book, but they were fighting a losing battle. Mahanama’s new book, ‘My Innings’ co authored by former S. Thomas’ cricketer Ashan Peiris is sure to become a hit as well. It was launched yesterday in Colombo. The Sinhala translation has been done by Asoka Goonetilleke, the former Sports Editor of our sister newspaper Divaina.

“People can find out about the challenges I faced as a player and as a Match Referee through this book,” Mahanama said.

“For me to work in the capacity of Match Referee was no easy task. I worked hard to prove my critics wrong. I left the ICC on my own terms. Lot of people will not leave the ICC for prestige and money. I feel that in life you need to stand up for what is right and your principles. There is a segment in the book where I am trying to send a message to young people in this country,” Mahanama said.

“I firmly believe that we can not compromise on integrity, honesty, values, friendship and loyalty. I am not perfect. I have had my faults as well. Imran Khan once said that people who have been successful in life are those who have failed, but they have corrected, analyzed and come back stronger,” he went onto explain.

All proceeds from the book will go to charities that Mahanama supports, especially the ones that helps cancer patients.

Mahanama briefly spoke on the challenges he faced after his first book was released. “When I first wrote the book, it was not for commercial purposes. This is not a commercial exercise either. What I mentioned in the first book was a sequence of events that made us stronger as a team. At that time Cricket Australia said they were going to get an injunction against the release of the book. CEO of Cricket Australia was Malcolm Speed at that time. When I joined the ICC, he was the CEO there. Had I fabricated a story, he wouldn’t have considered my name to be a Match Referee.”

Mahanama is one of the highly respected individuals in cricket and his name has been floated around to take up a coaching role with the national cricket team.

Responding to a query from The Island, the former captain said he is ready to accept a challenge. “There was an invitation for me to try and coach the team. I wanted time to reflect and see. I had some obligations towards my daughters. I had to settle them first. If you are asked to do something for your country you should think positively. That’s not something that I want to do. but if they want me to do it I will seriously consider,” Mahanama said.