Full Name: Muttiah Muralitharan, Born: April 17, 1972 in Kandy, Sri Lanka, Batting Style : Right-handed batsman, Bowling Style : Right-arm off-break, Test
Debut : Australia vs. Sri Lanka at Colombo – Aug 28 – Sept. 2, 1992, ODI Debut : India vs. Sri Lanka at Colombo – August 12, 1993
Easily the best magician of spin bowling, Muttiah Muralitharan has had a life far from ordinary. Riddled by endless controversies about his style of bowling, his career has still managed to reach the summit of international cricket. Murali is undoubtedly one of the most successful cricketers in Sri Lanka.
Having made his debut in 1992, Muttiah Muralitharan has played in more than 287 one-dayers, claiming 432 wickets at a phenomenal economy rate of 3.83. His record in Test matches is simply mind-boggling—674 wickets in 110 Tests at an economy rate of 2.39. These statistics clearly indicate that Murali has been a key player in Sri Lankan team ever since his entry into the world of cricket.
Time and again, the administrators of cricket have pounced on him with claims that his action was weird, and that he threw the ball. Muttiah Muralitharan has been subjected to numerous biomechanical tests to prove himself. Being an honest and dignified cricketer, he took all these issues in his stride and went ahead to prove his greatness through his bowling.
Many of Muttiah Muralitharan’s supporters have
often criticized the International Cricket Council and its patriarchs for being prejudiced against him, because he was from the Asian community. The variety of bowling styles in Murali’s repertoire is simply incomparable to any other bowler of the world. His off-breaks, top-spinners, doosra, and flippers have zapped even the best of batsmen.
Seated atop the list of wicket-takers in Test cricket, Muttiah Muralitharan is all set to play in his last World Cup. The ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 in West Indies will be a big test of Muralitharan’s endurance, and he’ll be more than keen about ending on a high note. His contribution to international cricket, Sri Lanka in particular, will always remain inestimable.
