800tharan Kandy Man! World’s only player to achieve the feet on the last match of his career. 8 wickets to reach the mile stone and a person like him getting to the exact number in the last match is an interesting achievement in itself. One tends to be under great pressure while playing the last match for the country. There are whole lots of expectations and the emotions running through. Yet Murali held on to his nerves and made it sure that he retired on the 800th winning note.
It’s an end of the spin era with the last legend spinner of the time calling it quits. First it was Warne, then Kumble and now Murali calling it quits. There’s no similarity in the bowling of Murali, Warney and Kumble. The only thing that was similar was the commitment towards the lovely game of cricket.
A little fact about Murali:
Muralitharan was born in the village of Nattarampotha in Kundasale (near Kandy ), the eldest of the four sons to Sinnasamy Muttiah and Lakshmi. Muralitharan's father Sinnasamy Muttiah, runs a successful biscuit-making business. Muttiah Muralitharan is the first and only Tamil of Indian Origin to represent Sri Lanka International Cricket
Murali made his test debut on 28th August 1992 against Australia . His bowling action was up in question twice where he was accused of having illegal bowling action. But eventually it was cleared by ICC. The perpetual smile on his face was the quality Murali possessed along with the great character and commitment for cricket
Muralitharan is the highest wicket-taker in both Test cricket and ODI’s with 800 and 515 wickets respectively. There is no one close to Murali at least in the test match who can achieve the feat.
It’s always better to call it quits when you are in prime form. As Sunil Gavaskar famously said, “When you retire, people must ask why and should not ask why not”
It’s about time for Sri Lanka to find a replacement for this legendary offie.
Shams N Wags salutes the little man Muttiah Muralitharan and acknowledge his contribution towards his country and the game of cricket.