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On this day in 2010, the cricket world marked a significant milestone. Muttiah Muralitharan, the legendary Sri Lankan spin maestro, bid farewell to his illustrious Test career, leaving an indelible mark on the sport’s history books.
Muralitharan’s final performance was nothing short of poetic. With his last delivery, he claimed the wicket of India’s Pragyan Ojha, achieving a remarkable milestone of 800 Test wickets. This accomplishment solidified his place as one of the greatest bowlers of all time, a title he fiercely contested with Australian icon Shane Warne throughout his career.
While Shane Warne initially led the race, Muttiah Muralitharan surged ahead decisively after crossing the 200-wicket mark. His pace in reaching milestones from 400 to 700 wickets was unmatched, culminating in a staggering 800 wickets from just 133 Tests. This dominance was highlighted by his remarkable tally of 67 five-wicket hauls, far surpassing Warne’s 37.
Muralitharan’s achievements sparked considerable debate. Critics argued that his success was primarily due to bowling on spin-friendly pitches in the subcontinent. However, his ability to surpass the likes of Courtney Walsh and even Shane Warne himself in total wickets underscores his exceptional skill and enduring legacy in the cricketing world.
Sri Lanka bid farewell to Muttiah Muralitharan with a poignant 10-wicket triumph over India in the Galle Test, marking a fitting end to his Test career. While he retired from Test cricket, Muralitharan continued to excel in limited-overs formats, culminating in his final appearance at the 2011 World Cup.
His incredible journey concluded with an impressive tally of 1347 international wickets across all formats. Muralitharan’s profound influence on cricket was duly acknowledged when he was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2017, cementing his status as one of the sport’s true legends.
