Muttiah Muralitharan, the Sri Lankan cricket icon, is widely regarded as one of the greatest bowlers in the history of the game. The legendary off-spinner holds the remarkable record of 800 Test wickets, a feat that has stood the test of time since his retirement.
Muttiah Muralitharan: The Sri Lankan bowling legend
Known for his unique bowling style and incredible control, Muralitharan dominated world cricket during his career, leaving an indelible mark on the sport. Across 133 Test matches, he claimed 800 wickets at an outstanding average of 22.72, a record unmatched to this day. He also holds the record for the most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket (67), along with 10-wicket match hauls on 22 occasions. Muralitharan was equally effective in the One Day International (ODI) format, where he scalped 534 wickets in 350 matches, making him the highest wicket-taker in ODI history as well.
Why Muralitharan believes his record is unbreakable
In a recent interview with The Daily Mail, Muralitharan expressed skepticism that any bowler will be able to surpass his record of 800 Test wickets. According to the spin wizard, the shift in focus towards shorter formats of the game, such as T20s and ODIs, has limited the opportunities for modern-day bowlers to achieve such milestones. He stated, “It’s very hard (for someone to surpass 800 Test wickets), because emphasis has shifted to short-form cricket. Also we played for 20 years. Careers are shorter now,”.
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The key challenge for the bowlers
One of the biggest factors preventing modern bowlers from approaching his record, according to Muralitharan, is inconsistency. He acknowledged the abundance of talent among the younger generation but noted that maintaining performance levels over a long period is increasingly difficult.
“Consistency is the problem. It’s not about how good they are, because they all are talented. The only thing is how can they become experienced? Nowadays, it’s difficult. There are too many tournaments and things in their heads,” Muralitharan concluded.
Nearest contenders to Muralitharan’s 800-wickets record
The closest bowlers to Muralitharan’s record of 800 Test wickets are Australia’s Nathan Lyon and India’s Ravichandran Ashwin. Lyon, with 530 wickets, and Ashwin, with 516 wickets, have both enjoyed illustrious careers. However, both are currently in their late thirties – Lyon at age 36 and Ashwin at age 37. Given their ages and the physical demands of Test cricket, surpassing Muralitharan’s record before their retirements appears unlikely.
The third-highest wicket-taker in Test history is English fast bowler James Anderson, who recently retired with 704 wickets. Anderson’s impressive career places him behind Muralitharan and Shane Warne (708), showcasing his remarkable longevity and consistency as a fast bowler. Among active bowlers under the age of 30, South Africa‘s Kagiso Rabada leads with 299 Test wickets. Rabada’s early career success highlights his potential, but surpassing Muralitharan’s record will require not only talent but also sustained performance and longevity in the sport.
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