Arguably the greatest finger spinner of all time, Muttiah Muralitharan celebrates his 46th birthday today (April 17th), and the whole cricketing fraternity has poured the greetings.
Former India batsman, VVS Laxman was among those who wished the wily spinner on Twitter. He remains the only bowler in Tests to bag 800 wickets. The spinner had bagged his 800th wicket on the final delivery of his career.
VVS wished him a pleased birthday while mentioning he is a gem of a human being apart from being a very good friend.
“Happy Birthday to one of the greatest bowlers of the game, a gem of a human being and a dear friend, Muttiah Muralitharan.”
Murali played his last Test against India in 2010 and went on to finish his ODI career against the same opponents a year later. It was the final of the 2011 World Cup which eventually brought down curtains on an illustrious career of the spinner.
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Murali was a magician and could make the ball talk in front of star-studded batting line-ups. He had a few hiccups in his career owing to his action, but he cleared that with flying colours whenever he got charged.
Muralitharan was no-balled seven times during a match in Australia by Darrel Hair which prompted the then Sri Lankan skipper, Arjuna Ranatunga to walk away with his team. They eventually came back, but it surely had a negative impact on the game.
Meanwhile, Murali who bamboozled several batsmen during his career mentioned the life of bowlers was easy when T20 cricket wasn’t around.
“It was easier to bowl during our times. Now the game has evolved, and it is not easy to bowl. We did not play too much T20s, and in Tests, they didn’t hit as many sixes like they do today,” he said at a promotional event a few days back.
He also claimed that winning the 1996 World Cup remains the highlight of his career.
“I would cherish my 1996 World Cup win as that was the most important thing for Sri Lankan cricket. For Sunrisers, it was when we won the IPL trophy in 2016“ Murali said.
He is the bowling coach of Sunrisers Hyderabad in the ongoing IPL. Hyderabad remains the only unbeaten team in the tournament so far with three wins in as many games.
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