Muttiah Muralitharan, considered by many as one of the best spinners ever, ended his Test career today after playing amazingly for Sri Lanka. He had an unusual off-spin style with a killer doosra. This amazing bowler fooled hitters all over the world. He got his 800th wicket at Galle versus India in 2010.
Before the three-match series against India, Muralitharan surprised fans by saying the first Test at Galle would be his last.
At 38, the great off-spinner decided to retire and rest after leading Sri Lanka’s bowling attack for 18 years.
This player wanted to get his 800th wicket in that Test and give his team an advantage over the opponents.
With 792 wickets in 132 matches, Muralitharan played his 133rd and last Test for Sri Lanka. His 5 for 63 and 3 for 128 helped Sri Lanka beat India, which had some of the game’s legends.
Muralitharan’s five-wicket haul in the first innings helped Sri Lanka dismiss India for 276 and make India follow on after scoring 520/8. He then got rid of Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni, closing in on his greatest success.
India’s lower order made Muralitharan wait, but he finally got his 800th wicket by dismissing Pragyan Ojha and ending the Indian innings at 338. This set up an easy chase of 95 and a ten-wicket win for his team.
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Muralitharan celebrated his greatest success with family and friends in a packed Galle International Stadium. His teammates lifted him onto their shoulders as Sri Lanka’s best cricketer said goodbye to Test cricket in an emotional scene.
Muralitharan retired as the format’s highest wicket-taker. It’s unlikely his record will be broken since fewer Tests are being played now. He got his 800 wickets at an amazing average of 22.72 and holds the record for most five-wicket hauls (67) and most ten-wicket hauls (22).
