Ranjan Madugalle became the first match referee to officiate the 400th Men’s ODI match when he officiated the third ODI match between Sri Lanka and India at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Wednesday.

He was honoured with a plaque on behalf of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) by SLC CEO Ashley de Silva before the start of the third ODI, with captains Rohit Sharma and Charith Asalanka applauding him for achieving this major milestone. Madugalle’s 31-year career as an ICC Match Referee is the longest of any in the history of the game.

“It has been a great honour and privilege to have played in international cricket for so many years and to have reached this milestone was almost like a dream. I was delighted to get the opportunity to be associated with the game after my time as a cricketer but I never imagined it would last for over three decades!”

“During this period, I have had the chance to officiate all over the world and in many World Cups and I have enjoyed every moment. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the ICC, Sri Lanka Cricket and my colleagues who I have worked with over the years for their support and friendship. I would also like to thank my family and friends, without whose support we would not have been able to reach this point,” Madugalle said in an ICC statement.

Madugalle played 21 Tests and 63 ODIs for Sri Lanka between 1979 and 1988, including his country’s first Test Match and three ODI World Cups – 1979, 1983 and 1987. He scored 1,029 Test runs, including one century, and made a further 950 runs in ODI cricket.

Madugalle has refereed a record-breaking 216 Men’s Test matches, 163 Men’s T20Is, 14 Women’s ODIs and eight Women’s T20Is. He has also served as the ICC Chief Match Referee and has officiated at seven Men’s ODI World Cups, including four finals. Madugalle was also the Match Referee at the 2004, 2006 and 2013 ICC Champions Trophy finals and the 2007, 2010, 2016 and 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cups.

Sean Easey, ICC Senior Manager, Umpires and Referees, commended Madugalle for reaching this milestone. “Ranjan’s portfolio of umpiring duties is extensive and this recent record of 400 ODIs is quite incredible. The volume of work he does reflects the passion he has for cricket and his role. On behalf of the ICC, I would like to thank Ranjan for his hard work and wish him all the best for this match and beyond,” he concluded.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and has been published from a news agency’s feed – IANS)