ROSHAN MAHANAMA'S 'RETIRED HURT'

Sri Lankan cricketer Roshan Mahanama is soon to launch his autobiography 'Retired Hurt' in Chennai.  Speaking to media persons at the pre-launch press conference, Roshan's father Upali Mahanama said that the release would take place around March or April 2002, when Roshan gets a break from his coaching assignments.  Roshan was not able to make it to the pre-launch conference because of his coaching assignments.  He is the head coach and manager of the Sri Lankan 'A' team.

Incidentally, when the book was originally launched in Australia it had generated a lot of controversy. The controversy centred around two lines in the book where Roshan Mahanama mentions a incident between Glen McGrath and Sanath Jayasuriya, during a one day match of the 1995-96 Australian tour. Roshan Mahanama had said that Glen McGrath called Jayasuriya a 'Black Monkey'.   Roshan Mahanma had earlier distanced himself from the controversy and is said to have blasted the Australian media for blowing out of proportion just two lines out of his two fifty page book.  He had also reiterated during the release of the book in Australia that the whole effort was not aimed at making money.  It may be recalled that only 2000 copies of the book were presented and that the book has been self-published. Upali said that someone had estimated the value of the publicity that the book received from the Australian media at around $200,000. 

"But we were not looking at publicity. The book was not sold to a publisher, the rights are with us.  If we were looking to make money we would have sold the book to a publisher. The proceeds from the book will be used for charity purposes.  Roshan is very clear about this.  In Chennai, proceeds from the sale of the book will be used for charity projects organised by the Lion's Club District 324A1", said Upali.

Roshan Mahanama was very particular that he retain the rights to the book since he wanted to have a translation in his native Singhalese.  He is the first Sri Lankan cricketer to do a book in his native tongue. The retail price for the book to be released in Chennai is yet to be decided.  The book has 250 pages with 24 photographs of Roshan's career on and off the field.  The book covers Roshan's career right from the age of eight when he first started playing till his retirement.

Upali Mahanama while speaking about the reason behind originally releasing the book in Australia said, "It was in Melbourne that we launched the book first because Roshan was in Melbourne playing cricket in 1999-2000, when he got the idea to first write a book.  His good friend David Cruise asked him whether he would like to do a book.  He introduced Roshan to Ken Piesse, a noted Australian sports chronicler.  Ken Piesse has authored more than 35 sports books, 20 of them involving cricket.  David Cruise sponsored the book, which took one year to develop.  Roshan however paid back the money as a matter of principle.  Roshan spoke for more than 40 hours on tape and the book was based on this transcription".

There is quite an interesting tale behind the name of the book.  The name was one among the many suggested for the book and was selected by Ken Piesse.  Roshan's father Upali who had seen the pain that his son underwent while retiring from cricket suggested the name.  Roshan hung up his boots at the age of 33 after playing for the Sri Lankan national team for over 13 years right from the age of 19.  A brilliant fielder at any position and a batsmen who has batted all over the batting order right from the opening slot to number nine position, Roshan Mahanama first thought of 'retirement' while returning from England after World Cup '99.

Apart from the breathtaking catches and his delicate stroke play Mahanama will best be remembered for his majestic 225 against the Indians in Colombo which helped him put on a record breaking 576 run partnership for any wicket with his friend and colleague Sanath Jayasuriya.  He is also the first Sri Lankan cricketer to hold over hundred catches in one-day internationals. Since making his debut in the 1985/86 season, he has played 213 one-day matches at an average of 30 runs and taken 109 catches.  He has also played in 52 test matches and taken 56 catches during those matches.