Sri Lanka's Ranjan Madugalle becomes first match referee to officiate in 200 Test matches

Former Sri Lankan cricketer Ranjan Mugalle on Sunday became first match referee to officiate in 200 Test matches. Ranjan Mugalle, who is Chief Referee of Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, reached landmark in ongoing first Test between Sri Lanka and West Indies in Galle. To mark achievement, Mugalle was presented with mementoes on behalf of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and by SLC Vice President Dr Jayantha Dharmasa and SLC CEO Ashley de Silva, respectively.

International Cricket Council (ICC) took to its Twitter handle and congratulated Ranjan Mugalle for his historic achievement. ICC Senior Manager – Umpires and Referees, rian Griffith in an official release lauded former Sri Lankan cricketer and called him a great asset for his work and experience dedicated to cricket over years. 

"Ranjan has been a tremendous asset over years and a significant source of inspiration for ors. We have benefitted from his experience and work ethic, as someone you can turn to for guidance. On behalf of ICC, I would like to thank Ranjan for his years of service to game and congratulate him on a wonderful career. We hope to continue benefiting from his expertise in years to come,” said rian Griffith, ICC Senior Manager – Umpires and Referees.

Ranjan Mugalle 'honoured' to officiate 200 Test matches

Mugalle also expressed his elation and stated that he is honoured and privileged to officiate in 200 Test matches and called it a massive milestone. "It is an honour and a privilege to be officiating in my 200th Test match, for it is not a milestone I h never imagined I would reach. Whilst it has taken a long time, it seems just or day that I h taken on this role because I have enjoyed every bit of journey," said Mugalle as per ICC's official release.

“This is obviously what dreams are me of and I continue to be passionately involved with game and in my role while liaising with my colleagues from world over. passion obviously comes from my time as a player and it is my good fortune to have remained connected so closely with game. I thank International Cricket Council, Sri Lanka Cricket and all my colleagues over years for all ir help. My thanks are also due to my family and friends, without whose support it would not have been possible to have come this far,” ded Mugalle. 

Ranjan Mugalle's match referee & cricketing career

Apart from 200 men’s Test matches, Mugalle has also officiated in 369 men’s ODIs and 125 men’s T20Is. He has also supervised 14 women’s ODIs and eight women’s T20Is. He was appointed an ICC Match Referee in 1993. His first assignment was Test between Pakistan and New Zealand in Karachi in December 1993 with a first ODI shortly afterwards.

Coming to his cricketing career, Mugalle enjoyed a dece-long international career for Sri Lanka as a cricketer, in which he played 21 Test Matches and 63 ODIs. He captained Sri Lanka in his final two Tests.

(Image: @ICC/Twitter)