Muttiah Muralitharan: The Spin Wizard Who Redefined Cricket
**Let's Begin**
Muttiah Muralitharan, frequently considered as the best spin bowler in cricket history, is a name that resonates with domination, controversy, and extraordinary skill. With a record-breaking **800 Test wickets** and **534 ODI wickets**, Muralitharan’s career was a combination of unplayable deliveries, intense disputes about his bowling motion, and match-winning efforts for Sri Lanka.
This blog dives into his famous career, his contributions to Sri Lankan cricket, the team’s makeup, and five of his most **memorable and startling moments** that left the cricketing world in awe.
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## **Muttiah Muralitharan’s Career & Sri Lankan Cricket Team**
### **Teams Played For:** - **Sri Lanka (International)** (1992–2011) - **Chennai Super Kings (IPL)** (2008–2010) - **Kochi Tuskers Kerala (IPL)** (2011) - **Royal Challengers Bangalore (IPL)** (2012–2014) - **Gloucestershire (County Cricket)** - **Kandurata Maroons (Domestic)**
### **Sri Lanka Cricket Team Composition**
The Sri Lankan national cricket team comprises of **15 players** in a conventional squad for big competitions like the **World Cup** or **Test series**. However, the larger player pool contains roughly **25–30 contracted players** at any given moment.
Muralitharan was a prominent character in Sri Lanka’s golden age with luminaries like **Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, and Aravinda de Silva**.
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## **5 Most Memorable & Shocking Moments of Muralitharan’s Career**
### **1. The “No-Ball” Controversy – 1995 vs. Australia (Shocking)**
One of the most contentious events in cricket history occurred on **December 26, 1995**, during the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. Umpire **Darrell Hair** called Muralitharan for **throwing (illegal bowling action)** seven times in three overs, classifying his doosra as a **chuck**.
- **What Happened?** - Muralitharan was obviously unhappy as the audience booed him.
- His captain, **Arjuna Ranatunga**, vowed to walk off the pitch in protest.
- The event triggered global debates on bowling movements, leading to biomechanical examinations that later **cleared Murali**.
- **Impact:** - This moment made Muralitharan a symbol of perseverance. - It caused the ICC to change bowling regulations, creating a **15-degree flexion rule**.
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### **2. Breaking the World Record - 800th Test Wicket (Memorable) ** On **July 22, 2010**, in his last Test match against India in Galle, Muralitharan accomplished what appeared impossible—**800 Test wickets**.
- **The Moment:** - Needing **8 wickets** in his last Test, he dismissed **Pragyan Ojha** to attain the milestone. - The audience exploded as teammates carried him in joy.
- **Why It Matters:** - He remains the **only bowler** to exceed 800 wickets in Tests.
- Cemented his status as the **greatest spinner** of all time.
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### **3. The 1996 World Cup Triumph – Sri Lanka’s First Title (Memorable)** Muralitharan was vital in Sri Lanka’s **1996 World Cup** triumph, their first major ICC trophy.
- **Key Contributions:** - Took **7 wickets in the semifinal vs. India** (including Sachin Tendulkar).
- Played a supporting role in the final against Australia (1/36).
- **Legacy:** - This triumph placed Sri Lanka on the cricket map.
- Murali’s emergence as a match-winner began here.
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### **4. The “Doosra” Revolution – Changing Spin Bowling Forever (Shocking & Memorable)** Muralitharan’s **doosra** (a delivery that spins away from right-handers) was groundbreaking but also **controversial**.
- **Why Was It Shocking?**
- Many experts, including **Bishan Bedi**, declared it **illegal**.
- Biomechanical studies subsequently confirmed his arm bent **within legal limits** owing to a **congenital deformity**.
- **Impact on Cricket:** - Inspired future spinners like **Ajmal, Ashwin, and Narine**.
- Changed how off-spin bowling was seen.
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### **5. The Heartbreaking 2007 World Cup Final Loss (Shocking) ** In the **2007 World Cup final** against Australia, Muralitharan suffered a **injury** at a vital point.
- **What Went Wrong?** - He strained his hamstring during fielding, diminishing his effectiveness.
- Sri Lanka crumbled to **Adam Gilchrist’s 149**, losing by **53 runs (DLS)**.
- **Why It Hurt Fans:** - This was Murali’s last chance to win a second World Cup. - His cries after the match highlighted the sorrow of coming so close.
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## **Conclusion: The Unmatched Legacy of Muralitharan**
Muttiah Muralitharan wasn’t simply a cricketer; he was a **phenomenon** who battled discrimination, rewrote record books, and inspired millions. From **controversies to triumphs**, his path remains one of cricket’s greatest stories.
Even today, no spinner has come close to his **800 Test wickets**, indicating that Murali was, and always will be, **the king of spin**.
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