Muttiah Muralitharan, born 17 April 1972, is a former Sri Lankan cricketer. Regarded as one of the best Test cricketers the game has ever seen, he was a right-arm off-break bowler.

Muralitharan's international career has been plagued by controversy over his bowling action. Due to an unusual overextension of his congenital bent arm during confinement, his bowling action has been questioned on several occasions by umpires and parts of the cricket community. After biomechanical analysis under simulated match conditions, Muralitharan's action was approved by the International Cricket Council, first in 1996 and again in 1999.

Early Years and Personal Life

Muralitharan was born on April 17, 1972 to a Tamil Hindu family from the hill country in Kandy, Sri Lanka, the eldest of the four sons of Sinnasamy Muttiah and Lakshmi. Muralitharan's father, Sinnasamy Muttiah, runs a successful cookie business.

Muralitharan's paternal grandfather, Periyasamy Sinasamy, came from southern India in 1920 to work on the tea plantations of central Sri Lanka. Sinasamy later returned to his native country with his daughters and settled in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India. However, his sons, including Muralitharan's father Muttiah, remained in Sri Lanka.

When he was nine, Muralitharan was sent to St. Anthony's College, Kandy, a private school run by Benedictine monks. He started his cricket career as a medium-paced bowler, but on the advice of his school coach, Sunil Fernando, took up the off-spin when he was fourteen. He soon impressed, playing First XI at the school for four years. At that time he played as an all-rounder and hit in midfield.

In his last two seasons at St Anthony's College he took over a hundred wickets and was named Bata Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year in 1990–91.

After leaving school he joined Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club and was selected for the 1991 Sri Lanka A Tour of England. He played in five games but failed to take a single wicket. On his return to Sri Lanka he impressed in a training match against Australia side Allan Border and then made his Test debut at R. Premadasa Stadium in the second Test of the series.

Muttiah Muralitharan holds the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI)[26] and does not require a visa to travel to India. According to his manager, Kushil Gunasekera, Muralitharan qualifies for this status because his family is from India. Muttiah announced on April 3, 2011 that he was retiring from all of the sport.

Domestic Cricket

In national cricket, Muralitharan has played for two top Sri Lankan teams, Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club in the Premier Trophy and Central Province in the Provincial Championship. His record is exceptional - 234 wickets in 14.51 runs in 46 matches.

County Cricket

He also played county cricket in England, mainly for Lancashire (1999, 2001, 2005 and 2007), appearing in 28 top-flight matches for the club. He played five top-flight games for Kent during the 2003 season. His bowling record in English cricket is also exceptional - 236 wickets from 15.62 carries in 33 games.

Despite his efforts, he was not part of a title-winning top-flight national team at either the Premier Trophy or the County Championship. He was unusual among his contemporaries in that he played in more Test matches than any other top-rated game (116 Tests and 99 other top-rated games as of November 30, 2007). Muralitharan was signed from Gloucestershire in 2011 to play in T20 matches. He renewed his T20 contract with Gloucestershire in 2012 but did not stay for the 2013 season.

Indian Premier League

Muralitharan was hired to represent Bengal at the 2008–09 Ranji Trophy tournament. He was expected to play about four games in the second division of the tournament - the Plate League.

In February 2008, Muralitharan was scheduled to play Twenty20 cricket for the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL). It was bought by India Cements, the IPL's Chennai franchisee, through a bidding process for $600,000.

The Chennai Super Kings were the runners-up in the inaugural edition of the IPL, losing to the Rajasthan Royals in the final. Muralitharan took 11 wickets in 15 games at an economy rate of 6.96 per over. In 2010, in the third IPL season, Muralitharan was part of the Chennai Super Kings team that won the IPL championship. Muralitharan remained the side's leading wicket-taker after all three tournaments.

At the 2011 IPL Player Auction, Muralitharan was purchased by Kochi Tuskers Kerala for $1.1 million.

In the 2012 season Muralitharan joined Royal Challengers Bangalore where he won 14 wickets in 9 games and averaged an economy rate of 6.38. He played for Royal Challengers Bangalore from 2012 to 2014. In 2014 he decided to retire from the IPL.

In 2015, Muralitharan was appointed bowling coach and mentor to IPL team Sunrisers Hyderabad.

International Career

Test Career

Muralitharan is the first wrist-spinning off-spinner in the game's history. He bowls Marathon spells, but he's usually on offense. His unique bowling action begins with a short run-up and culminates in an extremely wrist open-chest release from a partially supinated forearm that had mistaken him for a leg spinner early in his Allan Border career.

Aside from his standard delivery, the off-break, of which he claimed to have two variations (during a taped TV "Doosra" show with Channel 4's Mark Nicholas in 2004), his main deliveries are a fast top spinner that goes on dem lands seam and usually goes straight, and the doosra, a surprise delivery that turns from leg to out (the opposite direction of its stock delivery) with no readily apparent change in action. Additionally, he occasionally used one of his several unnamed novelties. Its super-flexible wrist makes it particularly powerful and is guaranteed to turn on any surface.

Since his debut in 1992, Muralitharan has won 800 Test wickets and over 500 One Day International wickets, becoming the first player to win 1,000 wickets in the two main forms of international cricket.

Before the eventful Boxing Day Test of 1995, Muralitharan had taken 80 wickets in 22 Tests with an unflattering average of 32.74. Even at this point in his career he was the leading wicket-taker for Sri Lanka, having surpassed Rumesh Ratnayake's total of 73 wickets.

On March 16, 1997, Muralitharan became the first Sri Lankan to score 100 Test wickets when he sacked Stephen Fleming in the second innings of the Hamilton Test.

In January 1998, Muralitharan took his first ten-wicket draw against Zimbabwe in the first Test in Kandy. Sri Lanka won by eight wickets and Muralitharan had counts of 12 for 117.

In August of the same year, Muralitharan achieved his best-ever friendly number of 16 to 220 in a one-off friendly against England. In England's second innings, Muralitharan bowled a 54.2-overs marathon to pick up 9 for 65 carries,  the other wicket was a run. Ben Hollioake will be his 200th Test wicket. Sri Lanka won by ten wickets, their first Test victory in England. After breaking the world record for most Test wickets in 2007, Muralitharan commented that his performance at the Oval against England in 1998 was his career highlight. He explained, "Everyone thought I was a good bowler back then, and I haven't looked back from there."

Muralitharan was playing his 58th Test and claiming his 300th Test wicket when he sacked Shaun Pollock in the first Test in Durban in December 2000. Only Dennis Lillee reached the milestone faster in his 56th Test.

On January 4, 2002 in Kandy, Muralitharan could have finished with all-time single-innings records, but after claiming nine wickets against Zimbabwe, Russel Arnold dropped a short-leg catch. He missed the tenth when Chaminda Vaas sacked Henry Olonga, left behind on suppressed appeals. Muralitharan follows his 9 for 51 in the first innings with 4 for 64 in the second, matching Richard Hadlee's record of 10 ten-wicket match hauls but requiring 15 fewer Tests.
Playing in his 72nd Test on January 15, 2002, Muralitharan became the fastest and youngest to reach the 400-wicket mark when he bowled Olonga in Galle in the third Test.

On March 16, 2004, Muralitharan became the fastest and youngest bowler to reach 500 wickets in the second Test between Sri Lanka and Australia in Kandy. In his 87th Test, he bowled Kasprowicz to claim his 500th victim just four days after Warne hit the milestone on day five of the first Test between the two teams in Galle. Warne took 108 tests to reach 500. Muralitharan took 4-48 on the first day of the second Test when Australia was bowled for 120 in the first innings.

Passing Walsh and Warne

In May 2004, Muralitharan surpassed West India's Courtney Walsh's record of 519 Test wickets to become top keeper. Mluleki Nkala of Zimbabwe becomes Muralitharan's 520th scalp in tests. Muralitharan held the record until Shane Warne claimed it in October 2004. Warne surpassed the mark of 532 wickets by Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan by sacking India's Irfan Pathan. Warne said he enjoyed his duel with Muralitharan, who was sidelined at the time after shoulder surgery.

After an outstanding year, Muralitharan was named the World's Wisden Leading Cricket Player in 2006. In six tests he gained 60 wickets. In four consecutive games he picked up ten each, the second time he accomplished such a feat. Opponents for his 60-wicket move were England away, South Africa home and New Zealand away: serious opponents.

In all, Muralitharan took 90 wickets in 11 Tests in the calendar year. For his performances in 2006, he was named by ICC in the World Test XI. 

In July 2007, Muttiah Muralitharan became the second bowler after Australian Shane Warne to capture 700 Test wickets. The off-spinner achieved the milestone when he let Bangladesh's last man Syed Rasel be caught at depth by Farveez Maharoof on day four of the third and final Test at Kandy's Asgiriya Stadium. The dismissal signaled Sri Lanka's victory by an innings and 193 runs to give the hosts a 3–0 win of the series.

Muralitharan finished with six wickets in each innings to claim 10 wickets or more in a Test for the 20th time. However, he was unable to surpass Warne's record of 708 wickets when Sri Lanka toured Australia in November 2007, conceding just four wickets in two Test matches.

Beyond the World Record

In July 2008, Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis halted India's strong batting as Sri Lanka won the first Test by record innings and 239 carries in Colombo. Muralitharan finished the match with 11 wickets for 110 while India went out in their second innings for 138 after conceding a 377 lead on day four. He was well assisted by debutant Ajantha Mendis, an unorthodox spinner with plenty of variation who won eight wickets in his debut game.

Muralitharan believed that Mendis' emergence would help prolong his own career. Muralitharan, 36, and Mendis, 23, formed an impressive partnership in the first Test win over India, winning 19 of the 20 wickets between them. “If he continues like this he will definitely win a lot of wickets in international cricket. Now that he's here I think I can play Test cricket for a few more years. Bowling 50 overs in a Test innings is very difficult. Now if I'm just bowling 30-35 and he bowls more than me, it makes my job easier."

For his performances in 2008 he was included in the World Test XI by the ICC.

One day Internationals

On 12 August 1993, Muralitharan made his One Day International (ODI) debut against India at Khettarama Stadium, scoring 1 for 38 from ten overs. Pravin Amre was his first ODI wicket.

On October 27, 2000 in Sharjah, Muralitharan won 7-30 against India, which was then the best bowling figures at One Day Internationals.

On April 9, 2002, Muralitharan achieved a career high ODI Bowling Rating of 913 based on the LG ICC Player Rankings. This is the highest rating ever for a spin bowler at One Day Internationals. This also puts him fourth in the LG ICC Best-Ever ODI Bowling Ratings.

In 2006, Muralitharan had the second-highest (now third-highest) number of runs (99) in a One Day International innings. The Australians, led by Adam Gilchrist, attacked Muralitharan more than usual while bowling that day.

However, he was named XI of the World ODI by the ICC for his performances in 2006.[86] Muralitharan does not have a great record against the Australians in ODIs and this was proven again when he was ineffective in the 2007 World Cup final; his chief tormentor is Gilchrist again. However, for his performances in 2007 he was named to the World ODI XI by the ICC.

Muralitharan played in five Cricket World Cup tournaments in 1996, 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011. He captured 67 World Cup wickets and is second in the list to Glenn McGrath, who has 71 and has represented Sri Lanka in three World Cup finals. In 1996, Muralitharan was part of Sri Lanka's World Cup team that defeated Australia in Lahore, Pakistan.

Muralitharan also played in the 2007 World Cup final when Australia defeated Sri Lanka in Bridgetown, Barbados. At the 2007 World Championships he took 23 wickets and finished the tournament as the second highest wicket-taker behind Glenn McGrath. He was part of the team that lost the 2011 World Cup final to India in Mumbai. It was also his farewell game. He was named by the ICC to the "Team of the Tournament" for the 2011 World Cup.

Muttiah Muralitharan was dropped from the Sri Lankan one-day squad to tour the West Indies in April 2008.

Explaining the non-selection, selector chair Ashantha De Mel stated: "We know he (Muralitharan) can still play at the next World Cup if he is properly cared for, we want to use him sparingly to save him for the big games and to spare the upcoming World Cup on the Asian subcontinent, where Muralitharan will pose a threat."

Muralitharan has the most career wickets in One Day Internationals after overtaking Wasim Akram on February 5, 2009. Akram took 502 wickets in 356 games. On February 3, 2009, Muralitharan sacked Yuvraj Singh in his 327th game, third ODI against India in Colombo to equal Akram's record. He won 13 Man of the Match awards in this form of the game.

Muralitharan shares the record for highest 10th wicket partnership in Tests for Sri Lanka with Chaminda Vaas. The pair put up 79 runs for the last wicket against Australia in March 2004 at the Asgiriya Stadium. Muralitharan also holds the record for scoring the most runs in Test cricket while batting at the No 11 position.

Muralitharan currently holds the record for most ducks (dismissals for zero) of all time in international cricket (Tests, ODIs and Twenty20) with a total of 59 ducks.

Retirement

On 7 July 2010, Muttiah Muralitharan officially announced his retirement from Test cricket at a media briefing in Colombo. He confirmed that the first friendly against India, due to start on 18 July 2010, would be his last, but stated that he was willing to play one-day internationals ahead of the 2011 World Cup in Sri Lanka if deemed necessary will be organized together.

He identified Sri Lanka's 1996 World Cup title as his greatest moment as a cricketer. He also stated that there have been some regrets throughout his 19-year playing career. "I'm sorry not to have won the friendlies in South Africa, Australia and India. But I'm sure we will win very soon."

In late 2010, Muralitharan announced his retirement from international cricket following the 2011 Cricket World Cup co-hosted by Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka, announcing: “This World Cup will be my last outing. After that I will retire completely from international cricket. My time is up. I signed up to play in the IPL for two years." His last ODI appearance on Sri Lankan soil was during the semi-final match against New Zealand where Muralitharan took the wicket from Scott Styris in his last delivery. His last ODI was against India in the World Cup final in Mumbai, however Sri Lanka lost the match and Murali could not take wickets.

Coaching Career

Muralitharan has been the bowling coach for Sunrisers Hyderabad since 2015. Under his tenure, Sunrisers Hyderabad emerged as IPL champions in 2016. He has also been appointed as the head coach of Thiruvallur Veerans in the 2nd edition of the TNPL.

In 2014, Muralitharan joined the Australia national team as a coaching advisor for the Test series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates. On 11 March 2014 he was appointed Spin Bowling Advisor to the Cricket Association of Bengal. The tenure began with the players at a four-day camp beginning March 15, 2014.

Ahead of Australia's tour of Sri Lanka in 2016, he was again called up for the Australia team. Despite his presence on the team as an advisor, Australia failed to win any of the three test matches, losing the series 3–0. Muralitharan's role in the Australian team sparked controversy across the country and at Sri Lanka cricket, and Muralitharan exchanged verbal smacks after an altercation with the then Sri Lankan team manager Charith Senanayake.

The head of SLC Thilanga Sumathipala warned Muralitharan because he was trying to coach the Australian team, the team that had put more pressure on Muralitharan in the past due to his bowling actions. Muralitharan said that the team that had played against him in the past but now called him to coach them for the Sri Lanka game was a big achievement in his career.

Records and Achievements

• Most test wickets (800 wickets)
• Most one-day international wickets (534 wickets)
• Highest number of international wickets in Tests, ODIs and T20s combined (1347 wickets)
• Most 5-wicket hauls in an innings at the Test level (67).
• Most 10 wicket hauls in a match at Test level (22). He is the only player to take 10 wickets/match against every Test playing nation.
• Fastest to 350, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600, 650, 700, 750, and 800 test Wickets, in terms of games played (in fact the only bowler to exceed 708 wickets).
• Only player to win 10 wickets in a Test in four consecutive games. He managed this feat twice.
• Only player to take 50 or more wickets against any Test playing nation.
• Muralitharan and Jim Laker (England) are the only bowlers to win 9 wickets twice in a Test inning.
• 7 wickets in an innings against most countries (5).
• Most Test wickets were shared with Anil Kumble by bowling (167), stumping (47) and catching and bowling (35). Bowled by Muralitharan (b Muralitharan) is the most common dismissal in Test cricket (not including a leak).
• Most Successful Bowler/Field Combination (Non-wicket-keeper) – c. Mahela Jayawardene née Muttiah Muralitharan (77).
• Most test wickets caught by a fielder (388).
• Most captured wickets were captured (435)
• Most Man of the Series awards in Test cricket (11).
• One of only six bowlers to sack all eleven batsmen in a Test game. Jim Laker, Srinivasaraghavan Venkataraghavan, Geoff Dymock, Abdul Qadir, and Waqar Younis are the others.
• Most Test wickets in a single floor. Muralitharan is the only bowler to capture more than 100 Test wickets at three venues, Sinhala Sports Club Ground in Colombo, Asgiriya Stadium in Kandy and Galle International Stadium in Galle.
• Most ducks (dismissals for zero) ever in international cricket (across Tests, ODIs and T20Is): 59 ducks in total.
• Most balls bowled in international cricket career (63132)
• 6th in list of most Test wickets in a home Test season (62 wickets in 7 games in 2001/02 - most by a Sri Lankan)
• Most balls bowled by a bowler in Test career (44039)
• Holds the record for most test wickets while playing on home soil (493)