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He has taken the most wickets in One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and the most wickets in tests. When he bowled, his eyes were big enough to cast terror on the batters, but the magic started to happen after the ball was pitched. The batter went leg; the bowl had other plans. Calm, quiet, always cheerful and humble, that's a spin-wizard the GOAT Muttiah Muralitharan.
Like some other sportsman, his path to greatness was anything but smooth, riddled with controversies and doubts about the legitimacy of his bowling action. Today, 17th April, on his birthday, this is a tribute to the cricketing legend.
The emergence Murali
Born into a family with confectionery interests in Kandy, Sri Lanka, Deshabandu Muttiah Muralitharan, known as Murali, was the eldest son of Sinnasamy Muttiah, a successful biscuit maker, comes from a family with roots in South India. He was only five when the entire biscuit factory of his father was burned into ashes and his father was assaulted by an anti-Tamil mob in 1977.
He attended St. Anthony's College and excelled in cricket, switching from pace bowling to off-spin under his coach's guidance. His impressive performance earned him a spot in the school's first team and recognition as a talented cricketer.
The rise of the 'Doosra' and doubts
Early on, he played for a Sri Lankan club and even got selected for a national A-team tour. Despite playing several matches, he didn't take any wickets. Back home, he shone against a strong Australian team in a practice match. This performance earned him a spot on the national team for his Test debut on 28th August against the mighty Aussies.
Muralitharan's cricketing talent first came to light during a tour game against Australia in 1992-93. His ability to turn the ball sharply on any surface drew immediate attention, but so did his unorthodox bowling action. A combination of a deformed elbow, supple wrists, and a rapid shoulder rotation made his deliveries suspect in the eyes of some. This became a constant theme throughout his career.
Muralitharan's mastery of the doosra, a delivery that deceived batters by going the other way or holding its line, led him to greatness. He soon rivalled Shane Warne as the world's best wicket-taker.
However, controversies continued to plague him. Umpires Darrell Hair and Ross Emerson called him for throwing in 1995 and 1998, respectively. In 2004, he was even asked to modify his doosra after it exceeded the permissible tolerance limit. Muralitharan, however, maintained his innocence, even bowling in an exceptional cast to prove the legality of his action.
Beyond the spin: A national hero
Despite the controversies, Muralitharan's achievements were undeniable. He played a pivotal role in Sri Lanka's 1996 World Cup victory and their journey to the finals in 2007.
He holds the record for most Test wickets (800) and was a nightmare for batters worldwide, averaging less than 30 with the ball in most countries. More importantly, he transcended the sport, symbolising unity in a nation divided by ethnic conflict. The Tamil spinner became a hero for all Sri Lankans.
Never captained, he led the team with his bowling
Despite being the talisman of Sri Lankan cricket, Muralitharan never sought captaincy. He believed that the additional team responsibility would hamper his bowling. This selfless attitude and tireless charity work in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami cemented his place as a national icon.
Why the cricketing world would remember Muttiah Muralitharan? The question was asked to the late Tony Graig, a former English captain. He said, "If we lost the data, statistics and everything about cricket, doesn't matter we will remember the name Muttia Muralitharan who doesn't need any record."