Taking his 800th Test wicket with the final ball of his career on 22 July 2010, Muttiah Muralitharan remains the only bowler to reach that total. Averaging over six wickets per Test match throughout his professional tenure, he established a record for the most international cricket wickets that continues to stand well into 2026.
Formative years in Kandy
Born in 1972 to a Hindu family in Kandy, Sri Lanka, Muralitharan began his education at St. Anthony's College. While he initially trained as a medium-pace bowler, he transitioned to off-spin at age fourteen on the recommendation of coach Sunil Fernando. His school performance led to the Bata Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year award in 1990–91. After graduation, he joined the Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club, quickly advancing to the national stage.
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Take the IQ test →Professional records and recognition
Muralitharan held the number one position in the International Cricket Council Test bowler rankings for 1,711 days. He surpassed Courtney Walsh’s record of 519 wickets in 2004, eventually overtaking Shane Warne in 2007. By February 2009, he moved past Wasim Akram’s ODI record of 502 wickets. Wisden's Cricketers' Almanack named him the top Test bowler in 2002, and he became the first Sri Lankan inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2017.
Controversy and technique
His career faced scrutiny regarding his bowling motion, attributed to a congenital bent arm that hyperextends during delivery. Umpires questioned the legality of his action multiple times. However, the International Cricket Council performed biomechanical analysis under simulated conditions in 1996 and 1999, officially clearing his technique both times. Despite this, the discourse surrounding his style persisted throughout his playing years.
Global domestic footprint
Outside of Sri Lankan teams like the Central Province and Tamil Union, Muralitharan played extensively in English county cricket. He appeared for Lancashire during four separate seasons and spent time with Kent. In 2008, he signed to play for Bengal in India’s Ranji Trophy tournament. His career was marked by a higher volume of Test match appearances compared to other first-class games.
Fast facts
- Born: 1972, Kandy
- Total Test wickets: 800
- First-class club: Lancashire
- Religion: Hinduism
- ICC Hall of Fame induction: 2017
- Spouse: Madhimalar Ramamurthy
- Citizenship: Sri Lanka, New Zealand
Questions readers ask
Why is there confusion regarding the spelling of his name?
The Tamil character used in his name can be transliterated as either 't' or 'd'. While often written as Muralitharan, he confirmed his preference for the 'Muralidaran' spelling to Cricket Australia in 2007.
Did Muralitharan hold a specific world record for Test bowling?
Yes. He surpassed Courtney Walsh in 2004 and eventually Shane Warne in 2007 to become the highest wicket-taker in Test history, finishing with 800 wickets.
