probably most importantly, 600 Test match wickets
(fastest also in 1010 appearances).
All these were achieved from a remarkable career
that had its genesis as a shy, spindly and innocent looking 20-year-old
at Khettarama Stadium, Colombo, in August 1992, against Allan
Border’s Australians.
Over the intervening 14 years, Muralitharan
has remained modest, devoted and loyal to the Sri Lankan cause
and his teammates.
He is, in a way, the least mentioned and respected
and spoken about amongst the four superstars of the modern era/genre,
the others being, of course, Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara and
Shane Warne.
The bowling world’s authentic Milestone
Man is a prolific oddity in the game’s rich history of
statistics -- Muralitharan has set records that will stand for
generations to come, similar to those set by batsmen Brian Lara
and Sachin Tendulkar.
He loves when Sri Lanka succeeds, and he assists
in some small way, in terms of personal satisfaction, being involved
in re-building the lives and homes of hundreds of Tsunami victims.
This makes him even more proud than his current
cricket harvests.
Muralitharan, the man, is far greater and remarkable
than Muralitharan the cricketer.
His has been a journey of never-ending hurdles,
valleys and challenges.
On a personal note, whether one sees him as
a champion off-spinner or an innocent chucker, a true cricket
fan can’t but help admire his infectious enthusiasm for
the game he loves, adores and adorns.
As one of 37 cricketers (at the time of composing
this piece) to have made 100 Test appearances, he has had to
(over the 14 years) face allegations, scrutiny, bio-mechanical
tests, remodelling of his action -- suspension of his deadly “Doosra” and
mud-slinging and racists remarks from those illiterate Whites
and their out-to-get-him agenda.
However, Muralitharan has proven a tough nut
to crack, and his mental toughness and strength have overome
all obstacles set in his pathway to success.
Muralitharan, who married 25-year-old business
graduate Madhi Ramamurthy last year, is a hill-country Tamil.
He was raised during a particularly violent
period in Sri Lanka’s history, a decade marred by ethnic
riots, civil war and bloody student uprisings.
It all helped him retain a sense of perspective
throughout the chucking controversy that has rocked his career
somewhat.
To reiterate, off the field, Muralitharan has
touched many lives, dedicating an enormous amount of his time,
energy and wealth to the charity he set up: Foundation for Goodness,
with his manager Kushil Gunasekera.
At 33, Muttiah Muralitharan’s cricketing
journey has more chapters to unfold.
He must, though, lessen his ODI appearances,
in order to prolong his Test career, as have Anil Kumble, Shane
Warne, Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar and Matthew Hayden.
This means that, injury apart, he could play
for a few seasons yet, and maybe, reach 800 Test wickets?
