On this day in 2010, cricket witnessed a historic moment. Sri Lankan spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan called curtains on his illustrious Test career, etching his name forever in the record books.
Muralitharan’s final act was a fitting tribute to his mastery. With his very last delivery, he dismissed India’s Pragyan Ojha, reaching an unprecedented and potentially unbeatable milestone – 800 Test wickets. This capped a remarkable career where he battled neck-and-neck with Australian legend Shane Warne for the top spot in Test bowling.
#OnThisDay in 2010, Muttiah Muralitharan signed off from Test cricket in style by taking his 800th Test wicket pic.twitter.com/KEP4lCRfg4— ICC (@ICC) July 22, 2016
While Warne held the early advantage, Muralitharan surged ahead after reaching the 200-wicket mark. He became the fastest bowler to reach milestones between 400 and 700 wickets, eventually finishing with a staggering 800 in just 133 Tests. This dominance was evident in his superior five-wicket hauls – 67 compared to Warne’s 37.
Muralitharan’s achievements weren’t without debate. Some argued that his success stemmed from bowling on spin-friendly subcontinent pitches. However, the sheer volume of his wickets (surpassing legends like Courtney Walsh and Warne himself) speaks volumes of his exceptional skill.
Sri Lanka fittingly sent Muralitharan off with a 10-wicket victory over India in the Galle Test. Though he retired from Tests, he continued playing limited-overs cricket, culminating in his final appearance at the 2011 World Cup.
Muralitharan’s incredible journey ended with a staggering 1347 international wickets across formats. His impact on the game was recognized with his induction into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2017.
