Muttiah Muralitharan has retired from International Test cricket as one of the most successful Off spin bowlers ever to grace the game. Off Spin mastermind Muttiah Muralitharan brought down the curtains on his Test career in a fire of glory by becoming the first cricketer to take 800 wickets. Muralitharan played a vital role in his last Test by scalping five wickets in the first innings and three in the second to take his overall tally to 800, and thus becoming the first bowler to achieve the remarkable feat. Muttiah Muralitharan has formed history by capturing Indian Pragyan Ojha’s wicket, the last wicket in the second innings of the Galle Test, his 800th in Tests and the first bowler to get done the feat in 133 years of Test cricket.

Putting sideways all the controversies even his die hard critics recognize the fact that Muralitharan is the only bowler who can turn it even on glass. His capability to do speculate with the ball will find no matching at least in cricketing history. Muralitharan leaves at the back a legacy and a record which will absolutely not be easy to follow. In the field he was an ideal enemy for whom batsmen would require a hell lot of preparations.  Muralitharan was a character who would make dressing rooms energetic by his attendance. Muralitharan is something extraordinary and words are not sufficient to explain how excellent he is. Muralitharan has been a great ambassador for cricket and his country for many years. In spite of being a violent competitor, he is great human being and a happy person. His utmost contribution to Sri Lankan cricket has been the true reality that he brought crowds to the ground because of his persona.

The off spinner wizard, who was playing his last Test at Galle and what a remarkable minutes for the cricketing world’s might not get to see again. The stands packed to the rafters and cheered but VVS Laxman and Mithun kept Muralitharan at bay. Definitely Murali was the one they wanted to hit. The crowd was anxiously waiting the moment and not going to settle for 799. Murali also wanted it badly too. At one stage crowd started getting agitated. When VVS Laxman unsuccessful to make his ground, the stadium got silent, Murali is still one short of magic 800 figures, and Sri Lanka closing in on a substantial win, the silence herd home a collected desperation. Pragyan Ojha a left handed batsman offering Murali the best chance to get it done and dusted with. It was just the about to weight of the moment. When Muralitharan finally found Ojha edge and could only manage to poke at. In the first slip Mahela Jayawardene took an elegant catch and ignited untamed celebrations. The relief on Murali’s face was all too obvious. His family stood up in the stands with the thousands of spectators. The team picked up their bowler of the moment and carried him off the field. With 800 wickets undoubted a huge win for Sri Lanka a dream end to a great career.

In the first innings of the Galle Test Muttiah Muralitharan had become the first bowler to take 100 wickets against India and his final tally of 105 wickets only in 22 Tests. With his sparkling achievement, Muttiah Muralitharan has become the 2nd bowler after Shane Warne to take 100 wickets against three opponents (England, South Africa and India). Shane Warne had attained the distinction against (England, South Africa and New Zealand). Muralitharan enjoys an exceptional bowling record at Galle International Stadium claiming 111 wickets in only 15 Test matches with an average of 18.50. Apart from his accomplishment at Galle, Muttiah Muralitharan has taken 100 wickets or more at two other Sri Lankan venues, at Colombo SSC 166 wickets with an average of 20.69 in 24 Tests at Colombo, and 117 wickets at Kandy with an average of 16.02 in 16 Tests. No other bowler has deal with to take 100 wickets at a single venue. The Mahela Jayawardene and Muralitharan pair with 77 wickets has extended their world record of best ever tally by a fielder-bowler combination in Tests.

Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara feels that there will be no one like Murlitharan again, and leading without Murali will be very difficult. If you are going around finding another Murali you cannot find out Murali replacement. He has played 18 splendid years of Test cricket and without Murali is a big big loss. He has done so much for the team and for Sri Lankan cricket. He is the best off spinner I ever saw.

Muralitharan counterpart Shane Warne believes 800 Test wickets record will never be broken. Muralitharan achieved the record with his final ball in Test cricket today, and getting the Pragyan Ojha wicket to bring India’s 2^nd innings to an end in the first Test at Galle. Shane Warne who is second at all time list on 708 wickets said; I don’t think so anyone will get there, so well done off spinner for achieveing 800 Test wickets. In the past there’s been a lot of debate about his action but in the end ICC cleared him and permitted to play cricket and what he did with the ball is just remarkable. To face the Muralitharan is an arduous task especially in the spin friendly wickets in Sri Lanka. Shane Warne and Muralitharan competed for the heading of the world’s best spinner for much of the last two decades, but Warne’s retirement in 2007 permitted him to move well past the Warne. We always kept an eye on each other and there was lot about Murali he always had a lovely smile on his face and be enjoying his cricket.

Moreover, England off spinner Graeme Swann believes the record will be broken in the future. I think it will be beaten at any stage of game. Many people are a long way off that, and this record will stands long time. Moreover Graeme Swann saluted Muttiah Muralitharan the way he has conducted himself throughout his glorious career, especially when questioned over his action. But the most excellent thing is he rose above it and just carried on doing what he does and his record now speaks for itself. I must say all credit goes to him and he fully deserve for that. He changed the shape of off spin bowling and he is very unique in what he is done.

Great Pakistani left arm fast bolwer Wasim Akram says on Murali accomplishment; The off-spinner is a mastermind and has been a grand ambassador for Sri Lankan cricket, I don’t think so anyone will even approach to taking 800 wickets. These numbers not only highlights the man’s extraordinary skills, it reflects the enthusiasm and discipline of a great sportsman. I have never witnessed a bowler like him before and don’t think I will ever see one more in the future as well.

The records Muralitharan holds

Most wickets in Tests: 800

Most five wickets haul in an innings in Tests: 67

Most 10 wickets haul in a match in Tests: 22

Most wickets taken bowled in Tests: 167

Most wickets taken caught in Tests: 435

Most wickets taken caught and bowled in Tests: 35 Joint with Anil Kumble

Most wickets taken stumped in Tests: 47

Most balls bowled in Tests: 44,039

Ten wickets in a match in most consecutive Tests: Four

The fastest bowler to get 350 Test wickets and then every landmark up to 750.

The first bowler to reach 800 Test match wickets.

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