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{{short description|Sri Lankan cricketer (born 1972)}}{{Redirect|Muthiah|3=Muthiah (name)}}{{Patronymic name|Muralitharan|Muttiah|his}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox cricketer
| honorific_prefix = [[Deshabandu]]
| name = Muttiah Muralitharan
| image = Photograph of Muttiah Muralitharan.jpg
| caption = Muralitharan at the [[CEAT Cricket Ratings]] Awards in February 2013
| country = Sri Lanka
| nickname = Murali
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1972|4|17}}
| birth_place = [[Kandy]], [[Dominion of Ceylon|Ceylon]] 
| batting = Right-handed
| bowling = Right-arm [[off spin|off break]]
| role = [[Bowler (cricket)|Bowler]]
| international = true
| internationalspan = 1992–2011
| testdebutdate = 28 August
| testdebutyear = 1992
| testdebutagainst = Australia
| testcap = 54
| lasttestdate = 18 July
| lasttestyear = 2010
| lasttestagainst = India
| odidebutdate = 12 August
| odidebutyear = 1993
| odidebutagainst = India
| odicap = 70
| lastodidate = 2 April
| lastodiyear = 2011
| lastodiagainst = India
| odishirt = 8
| T20Idebutdate = 22 December
| T20Idebutyear = 2006
| T20Idebutagainst = New Zealand
| T20Icap = 13
| lastT20Idate = 31 October
| lastT20Iyear = 2010
| lastT20Iagainst = Australia
| club1 = [[Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club|Tamil Union]]
| year1 = {{nowrap|1991/92–2009/10}}
| club2 = [[Lancashire County Cricket Club|Lancashire]]
| year2 = 1999, 2001, 2005, 2007
| club3 = [[Kent County Cricket Club|Kent]]
| year3 = 2003
| club4 = [[Chennai Super Kings]]
| year4 = 2008–2010
| club5 = [[Kochi Tuskers Kerala]]
| year5 = 2011
| club6 = [[Gloucestershire County Cricket Club|Gloucestershire]]
| year6 = 2011–2012
| club7 = [[Wellington Firebirds]]
| year7 = 2011/12
| club8 = [[Chittagong Kings]]
| year8 = 2011/12
| club9 = [[Royal Challengers Bangalore]]
| year9 = 2012–2014
| club10 = [[Melbourne Renegades]]
| year10 = 2012/13–2013/14
| club11 = [[Jamaica Tallawahs]]
| year11 = 2013
| columns = 4
| column1 = [[Test cricket|Test]]
| matches1 = 133<ref>Including 1 Test for an [[2005 ICC Super Series|ICC World&nbsp;XI]]</ref>
| runs1 = 1,256
| bat avg1 = 11.67
| 100s/50s1 = 0/1
| top score1 = 67
| deliveries1 = 44,039
| wickets1 = 800
| bowl avg1 = 22.72
| fivefor1 = 67
| tenfor1 = 22
| best bowling1 = 9/51
| catches/stumpings1 = 72/–
| column2 = [[One Day International|ODI]]
| matches2 = 350<ref>Including 4 ODIs for the [[List of Asian XI ODI cricketers|Asian&nbsp;XI]] and 3 for an [[2005 ICC Super Series|ICC World&nbsp;XI]].</ref>
| runs2 = 674
| bat avg2 = 6.80
| 100s/50s2 = 0/0
| top score2 = 33[[not out|*]]
| deliveries2 = 18,811
| wickets2 = 534
| bowl avg2 = 23.08
| fivefor2 = 10
| tenfor2 = 0
| best bowling2 = 7/30
| catches/stumpings2 = 130/–
| column3 = [[First-class cricket|FC]]
| matches3 = 232
| runs3 = 2,192
| bat avg3 = 11.35
| 100s/50s3 = 0/1
| top score3 = 67
| deliveries3 = 66,933
| wickets3 = 1,374
| bowl avg3 = 19.64
| fivefor3 = 119
| tenfor3 = 34
| best bowling3 = 9/51
| catches/stumpings3 = 123/–
| column4 = [[List A cricket|LA]]
| matches4 = 453
| runs4 = 945
| bat avg4 = 7.32
| 100s/50s4 = 0/0
| top score4 = 33[[not out|*]]
| deliveries4 = 23,734
| wickets4 = 682
| bowl avg4 = 22.39
| fivefor4 = 12
| tenfor4 = 0
| best bowling4 = 7/30
| catches/stumpings4 = 159/–
|medaltemplates=<!--MENTION HOST NATIONS FOR TEAM SPORTS-->
{{MedalSport|Men's [[Cricket]]}}
{{MedalCountry|{{SRI}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[ICC Cricket World Cup]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[1996 Cricket World Cup|1996 India-Pakistan-Sri Lanka]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2007 Cricket World Cup|2007 West Indies]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2011 Cricket World Cup|2011 India–Bangladesh–Sri Lanka]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[ICC Champions Trophy]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[2002 ICC Champions Trophy|2002 Sri Lanka]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[ICC Men's T20 World Cup|ICC World Twenty20]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2009 T20 World Cup|2009 England]]|}}
| date = 8 January
| year = 2014
| source = http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/content/player/49636.html ESPNcricinfo
|height=5 ft 5 in<ref name="Wisden2001-448185">{{cite news
 |title=Wisden Cricket News (3 July 2001)
 |url=https://i.imgci.com/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/CRICKET_NEWS/2001/JUL/448185_WISDEN_03JUL2001.html
 |work=[[ESPNcricinfo]]
 |date=3 July 2001
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250926160435/https://i.imgci.com/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/CRICKET_NEWS/2001/JUL/448185_WISDEN_03JUL2001.html
 |archive-date=26 September 2025
 |url-status=dead
 |access-date=26 September 2025
}}</ref>}}
[[Deshabandu]] '''Muttiah Muralitharan'''<ref>Also spelt as '''Muralidaran''' and often referred to as '''Murali'''.</ref> (<!-- NO INDIC SCRIPT PER WP:INDICSCRIPT -->born {{Nowrap|17 April}} 1972) is a Sri Lankan cricket coach, businessman and former professional [[cricketer]]. Averaging over six wickets per [[Test cricket|Test match]], he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. He is the only bowler to take 800 Test wickets and more than 530 [[One Day International]] (ODI) wickets. {{as of|2026}}, he has taken more wickets in international cricket than any other bowler.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/1011505/cricket-test-wicket-leaders/|title=Leading wicket-takers in international test match cricket as of June 2023|website=statistica.com|first=Christina|last=Gough|date=10 September 2020|access-date=3 October 2020|archive-date=7 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107063307/https://www.statista.com/statistics/1011505/cricket-test-wicket-leaders/|url-status=live}}</ref> Muralitharan was a part of the Sri Lankan team that won the [[1996 Cricket World Cup]] and the team which was joint-winners with India of the [[2002 ICC Champions Trophy]].

Muralitharan's international career was beset by controversy over his bowling action. Due to an unusual hyperextension of his congenitally bent arm during delivery, his [[bowling action]] was called into question on a number of occasions by [[umpires]] and sections of the cricket community.<ref name="Gillespie comments">{{Cite news|last=Conn|first=Malcolm|date=13 October 2007|title=Bending law aided Murali: Gillespie|work=The Australian|url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22577477-5001505,00.html|url-status=dead|access-date=14 December 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071227051004/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22577477-5001505,00.html|archive-date=27 December 2007}}</ref> After biomechanical analysis under simulated playing conditions, Muralitharan's action was cleared by the [[International Cricket Council]], first in 1996 and again in 1999.<ref name="Profile ESPNcricinfo">{{Cite news|last=Austin|first=Charlie|title=Muttiah Muralitharan profile at ESPNcricinfo|url=http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/srilanka/content/player/49636.html|access-date=6 February 2008|archive-date=17 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090217170619/http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/srilanka/content/player/49636.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Muralitharan held the number one spot in the [[ICC Player Rankings|International Cricket Council's player rankings]] for Test bowlers for a record period of 1,711 days spanning 214 Test matches.<ref>{{cite web |title=Murali retires in third position |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/30545/murali-retires-in-third-position/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305203514/https://tribune.com.pk/story/30545/murali-retires-in-third-position |archive-date=March 5, 2022 |access-date=1 April 2011 |work=The Express Tribune|date=24 July 2010 }}</ref> He became the highest wicket-taker in Test cricket when he overtook the previous record-holder [[Shane Warne]] on {{Nowrap|3 December}} 2007.<ref name="Cricinfo record story">{{Cite news |date=3 December 2007 |title=Murali breaks Warne's record |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/murali-breaks-warne-s-record-323457 |access-date=14 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201173620/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/murali-breaks-warne-s-record-323457 |archive-date=December 1, 2022}}</ref><ref name="Muralitharan breaks the cricket test wicket record">{{Cite news|date=3 December 2007|title=Muralitharan breaks the cricket test wicket record|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrniGZnLxZI| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071209232417/http://youtube.com/watch?v=XrniGZnLxZI| archive-date=2007-12-09 | url-status=dead|access-date=18 March 2008|via=YouTube}}</ref> Muralitharan had previously held the record when he surpassed [[Courtney Walsh]]'s 519 wickets in 2004, but he suffered a shoulder injury later that year and was overtaken by Warne.<ref name="Test record">{{Cite news |date=3 December 2007 |title=Muralitharan breaks Test record |work=BBC Sport |location=London |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/other_international/sri_lanka/7123499.stm |access-date=5 March 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208072818/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/other_international/sri_lanka/7123499.stm |archive-date=December 8, 2022}}</ref> Muralitharan took the wicket of [[Gautam Gambhir]] on 5 February 2009 in [[Colombo]] to surpass [[Wasim Akram]]'s [[One Day International|ODI]] record of 502 wickets.<ref name="ODI bowling record">{{Cite news |date=5 February 2009 |title=Murali breaks ODI wicket record |work=BBC Sport |location=London |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/7872333.stm |access-date=7 February 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207031836/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/7872333.stm |archive-date=February 7, 2009}}</ref> He retired from Test cricket in 2010, registering his 800th and final wicket on 22 July 2010 from his final ball in his last Test match.<ref name="bbc-12/13/02">{{Cite news |date=13 December 2002 |title=Murali 'best bowler ever' |work=BBC Sport |location=London |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/2572069.stm |access-date=14 December 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213163635/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/2572069.stm |archive-date=December 13, 2022}}</ref>

Muralitharan was rated the greatest [[Test cricket|Test match]] [[bowler (cricket)|bowler]] by ''[[Wisden's Cricketers' Almanack]]'' in 2002, and in 2017 was the first Sri Lankan cricketer to be inducted into the [[ICC Cricket Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 July 2016 |title=Muralitharan first Sri Lankan in ICC Hall of Fame |work=ICC Cricket |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/story/1039767.html |access-date=27 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623115424/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/muttiah-muralitharan-first-sri-lankan-in-icc-hall-of-fame-1039767 |archive-date=June 23, 2021}}</ref> He won the [[Ada Derana Sri Lankan of the Year]] award in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ada Derana Sri Lankan of the Year 2017 - award winners |url=http://www.adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=43262 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418065329/http://www.adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=43262 |archive-date=April 18, 2023 |access-date=2020-05-24 |website=www.adaderana.lk |language=en}}</ref>

==Early years and personal life==
Muralitharan was born 17 April 1972 to a [[Indian Tamils of Sri Lanka|Hill Country Tamil]] [[Hindu]] family in [[Kandy]], Sri Lanka, the eldest of the four sons to Sinnasamy Muttiah and Lakshmi. Muralitharan's father, Sinnasamy Muttiah, runs a successful biscuit-making business.<ref name="Mulari early days">{{Cite news |url=http://www-ieem.ust.hk/dfaculty/ravi/cricket/apr26-98.html |title='Murali' – bowling wizard of international fame |first=M. B. |last=Dassanayake |work=Sunday Observer |date=26 April 1998 |access-date=11 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080309151813/http://www-ieem.ust.hk/dfaculty/ravi/cricket/apr26-98.html |archive-date=9 March 2008 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> Muralitharan's paternal grandfather, Periyasamy Sinasamy, came from South India to work in the tea plantations of central Sri Lanka in 1920.<ref name="Telegraph, UK,-09/12/07">{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/scyldberry/2327918/Muralitharan-toes-line-in-Sri-Lanka-riven-by-war.html |title=Muralitharan toes line in Sri Lanka riven by war |first=Scyld |last=Berry |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=9 December 2007 |access-date=19 March 2024 |location=London |archive-date=19 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240319121735/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/scyldberry/2327918/Muralitharan-toes-line-in-Sri-Lanka-riven-by-war.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Sinasamy later returned to the country of his birth with his daughters and settled in [[Tiruchirappalli]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India. However, his sons, including Muralitharan's father Muttiah, remained in Sri Lanka.<ref name="An honour to play for Super Kings">{{Cite news |url= http://www.hindu.com/2008/04/16/stories/2008041656901900.htm |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080420064903/http://www.hindu.com/2008/04/16/stories/2008041656901900.htm |url-status= dead |archive-date= 20 April 2008 |title= An honour to play for Super Kings |first= S |last= Dinkar |date= 16 April 2008 |access-date= 16 April 2008 |work= [[The Hindu]] |location= Chennai, India }}</ref>

When he was nine years old, Muralitharan was sent to [[St. Anthony's College, Kandy]], a private school run by [[Benedictine]] monks. He began his cricketing career as a medium pace bowler but on the advice of his school coach, Sunil Fernando, he took up off-spin when he was fourteen years old. He soon impressed and went on to play for four years in the school First XI. In those days he played as an [[all-rounder]] and batted in the middle order. In his final two seasons at St Anthony's College he took over one hundred wickets and in 1990–91 was named as the 'Bata Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year'.<ref name="Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year">{{Cite news|url=https://archives.sundayobserver.lk/2008/03/16/spo01.asp|title=Murali won Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year title in 1991|first=A C|last=de Silva|work=[[Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka)|Sunday Observer]]|date=16 March 2008|access-date=25 March 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080319224912/http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2008/03/16/spo01.asp|archive-date=19 March 2008}}</ref>

After leaving school he joined [[Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club]] and was selected for the Sri Lanka A tour of England in 1991. He played in five games but failed to capture a single wicket. On his return to Sri Lanka he impressed against [[Allan Border]]'s Australian team in a practice game and then went on to make his Test debut at [[R. Premadasa Stadium]] in the Second Test match of the series.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://ganeshyamalabittu.tripod.com/heroes/id19.html|title=Heroes Muttiah Muralitharan Profile|access-date=12 February 2008|archive-date=25 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110625191234/http://ganeshyamalabittu.tripod.com/heroes/id19.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

When his grandfather died at the age of 104 in July 2004, Muralitharan returned home from [[2004 Asia Cup|Asia Cup]] to attend his funeral. Periyasamy Sinasamy's first wish to see Muralitharan claiming the world record for the most Test wickets was realised (passing the record set by [[Courtney Walsh]]), but not his desire to live to see his grandson married. Muralitharan's grandmother had died one month earlier at the age of 97. Muralitharan's manager, Kushil Gunasekera, stated that "Murali's family is closely knit and united. They respect traditional values. The late grandfather enjoyed a great relationship with Murali."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2004/07/29/stories/2004072902152100.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040905235726/http://www.hindu.com/2004/07/29/stories/2004072902152100.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 September 2004|title=Murali's grandfather's unfulfilled wish|date=29 July 2004|access-date=18 January 2008|work=[[The Hindu]]|location=Chennai, India}}</ref>

Muralitharan married Madhimalar Ramamurthy,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.tamilweek.com/images/muralibride_Medium_.jpg |title=Archived copy |access-date=27 December 2009 |archive-date=8 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110108145810/http://tamilweek.com/images/muralibride_Medium_.jpg |url-status=dead }}</ref> a [[Chennai]] native, on {{Nowrap|21 March}} 2005.<ref name="tribune-2/3/05">{{Cite news |url= http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050203/sports.htm#5 |title= Murali to tie knot with Chennai girl |first= Anup |last= Chandra |work= The Tribune |location= Chandigarh, India |date= 3 February 2005 |access-date= 1 January 2008 |archive-date= 18 January 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080118213847/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050203/sports.htm#5 |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= A significant moment in Murali's life |url= http://www.thehindu.com/2005/03/22/stories/2005032205102200.htm|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141130095709/http://www.thehindu.com/2005/03/22/stories/2005032205102200.htm|url-status= dead|archive-date= 30 November 2014|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=22 March 2005}}</ref> Madhimalar is the daughter of the late Dr S. Ramamurthy of Malar Hospitals, and his wife Dr Nithya Ramamurthy.<ref>{{cite news|title=Muralitharan ties the knot|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=AWGLNB&req_dat=1054640702C8DBC0&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F10905C0F44434E2B|work=[[The Hindu]]|via=Newsbank|date=22 March 2005|access-date=19 March 2024}}</ref> Their first child, Naren, was born in January 2006.<ref name=lnp->''Lanka Newspapers''[http://www.lankanewspapers.com/news/2006/1/5237.html World Cup to be Murali`s swansong?] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927214030/http://www.lankanewspapers.com/news/2006/1/5237.html |date=27 September 2007 }}</ref>

Muttiah Muralitharan holds [[Overseas Citizenship of India|Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI)]]<ref>{{cite news|last1=Chaturvedi|first1=Vinita|date=2010-08-01|title=I admire Rajinikanth: Muralitharan|work=The Times of India|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/people/I-admire-Rajinikanth-Muralitharan/articleshow/6240954.cms|url-status=live|access-date=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103082957/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-08-01/people/28317575_1_test-cricket-t20-odis|archive-date=2012-11-03}}</ref> and he does not need a visa for travelling to [[India]]. According to his manager, Kushil Gunasekera, Muralitharan qualifies for this status because his family originates from India.<ref>{{cite web|date=7 August 2010|title=Sri Lankan govt may issue special Murali stamp|url=http://nation.com.pk/sports/07-Aug-2010/Sri-Lankan-govt-may-issue-special-Murali-stamp|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117020129/http://nation.com.pk/sports/07-Aug-2010/Sri-Lankan-govt-may-issue-special-Murali-stamp|archive-date=2015-11-17|access-date=1 April 2011|work=The Nation|location=Pakistan}}</ref> Muttiah announced on 3 April 2011 that he was retiring from all sport.

==Spelling of name==
Even though his name was widely [[romanization|romanised]] as Muralitharan from the start of his career, he prefers the spelling Muralidaran. The different spellings have arisen because the Tamil letter த can be pronounced as both 't' and 'd' depending on its place in a word. It is often transliterated as 'th' to distinguish it from another letter, ட, which is a [[retroflex]] 't' or 'd'. In 2007, when [[Cricket Australia]] decided to unveil the new [[Warne-Muralidaran Trophy]], to be contested between Australia and Sri Lanka, Muralitharan was requested to clarify how his name should be spelt. Cricket Australia spokesman Peter Young confirmed that "the spelling he's given is Muralidaran".<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/under-muralis-deadly-spell/2007/11/07/1194329318699.html |title=Under Murali's deadly spell |first=Martin |last=Blake |work=the age |date=8 November 2007 |access-date=21 February 2008 |location=Melbourne |archive-date=17 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110517210651/http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/under-muralis-deadly-spell/2007/11/07/1194329318699.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The first-day cover involving Muralitharan bears an official seal captioned as "The highest wicket taker in Test cricket, MUTHIAH MURALIDARAN, First Day of Issue 03.12.2007, Camp Post Office, [[Asgiriya Stadium|Asgiriya International Cricket Stadium]], [[Kandy]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://i25.tinypic.com/zj84dv.jpg|title=Muralitharan First day Cover|access-date=22 February 2008|archive-date=24 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120124035941/http://i25.tinypic.com/zj84dv.jpg|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Domestic cricket==
[[File:Muttiah Muralitharan-web.jpg|thumb|right|Muralitharan bowling for [[Gloucestershire County Cricket Club|Gloucestershire]] in 2011.]]

===In Sri Lanka===
In domestic cricket, Muralitharan played for two first-class Sri Lankan teams, [[Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club]] in the [[Premier Trophy]] and Central Province in the Provincial Championship. His record is exceptional – 234 wickets at 14.51 runs in 46 matches.<ref name="LCCC stats">{{cite web |url=http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Lancashire/Players/2/2040/f_Bowling_by_Team.html |title=First-Class Bowling For Each Team by Muttiah Muralitharan |author=CricketArchive |publisher=[[Lancashire County Cricket Club]] |access-date=29 December 2007 |archive-date=10 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610073622/http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Lancashire/Players/2/2040/f_Bowling_by_Team.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===In England===
He also played county cricket in England, mainly for [[Lancashire County Cricket Club|Lancashire]] (1999, 2001, 2005 and 2007), appearing in twenty-eight [[First-class cricket|first-class]] games for the club. He played five first class games for [[Kent County Cricket Club|Kent]] during the 2003 season. His bowling record in English domestic cricket is also exceptional – 236 wickets at 15.62 runs in 33 matches.<ref name="LCCC stats"/> Despite his efforts, he was never on a title-winning first-class domestic team in either the [[Premier Trophy]] or the [[County Championship]]. He was unusual amongst his contemporaries in that he played in more Test matches than other first-class games (116 Tests and 99 other first-class matches as of {{Nowrap|30 November}} 2007). Muralitharan was signed by Gloucestershire in 2011 to play in T20 matches. He renewed his T20 contract with Gloucestershire in 2012, but did not stay on for the 2013 season.

===In India===
Muralitharan was contracted to represent [[Bengal cricket team|Bengal]] in the 2008–09 [[Ranji Trophy]] tournament. He was expected to play about four matches in the tournament's second division – the Plate League.

In February 2008, Muralitharan was slated to play [[Twenty20]] cricket for the [[Chennai Super Kings]] in the [[Indian Premier League]] (IPL). He was bought for $600,000 by India Cements, the Chennai franchisee of the IPL, through a bidding process.<ref name="IPL Auction">{{Cite news|url=http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ipl/content/current/story/338106.html|title=How the teams stack up|first=Siddhartha|last=Vaidyanathan|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|date=20 February 2008|access-date=21 February 2008|archive-date=21 January 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130121041121/http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ipl/content/current/story/338106.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Chennai Super Kings]] were the runners-up in the inaugural edition of the IPL, losing to the [[Rajasthan Royals]] in the final. Muralitharan captured 11 wickets in 15 games, at an economy rate of 6.96 an over. In 2010, in the third season of IPL, Muralitharan was part of the [[Chennai Super Kings]] team that won the IPL championship.<ref>[[2010 Indian Premier League]]</ref> Muralitharan also remained the team's leading wicket-taker after all the three tournaments.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ipl-chennai/engine/records/bowling/most_wickets_career.html?class=6;id=4343;type=team |title=Cricket Records. Most wickets |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=1 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001054417/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ipl-chennai/engine/records/bowling/most_wickets_career.html?class=6%3Bid%3D4343%3Btype%3Dteam |archive-date=1 October 2012  }}</ref>

At the [[2011 IPL Player Auction]] Muralitharan was bought by [[Kochi Tuskers Kerala]] for US$1.1&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/indian-premier-league-2011/content/story/495956.html |title=IPL: Teams spend big to overhaul their rosters. Indian Premier League 2011 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=1 April 2011 |archive-date=10 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810185146/http://www.espncricinfo.com/indian-premier-league-2011/content/story/495956.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the 2012 season Muralitharan moved to [[Royal Challengers Bangalore]], where he took 14 wickets in 9 games and had an average economy rate of 6.38. He played for [[Royal Challengers Bangalore]] from 2012 to 2014. He decided to retire from the [[Indian Premier League|IPL]] in 2014.

In 2015, Muralitharan was appointed as the bowling coach and mentor of the IPL team [[Sunrisers Hyderabad]].

===In Australia===
Muttiah Muralitharan signed for the [[Melbourne Renegades]] to play [[Twenty20]] cricket in the [[Big Bash League]] in 2012. He stated, "I wanted to play one season in Australia and the opportunity from the Melbourne Renegades was there so I took it with both hands."<ref>{{cite web |url= http://zeenews.india.com/sports/cricket/muralitharan-to-play-for-melbourne-renegades-in-big-bash_745475.html |title= Muralitharan to play for Melbourne Renegades in Big Bash |date= 13 July 2012 |publisher= ZEENEWS.com |access-date= 17 July 2012 |archive-date= 1 August 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130801044230/http://zeenews.india.com/sports/cricket/muralitharan-to-play-for-melbourne-renegades-in-big-bash_745475.html |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.wisdenindia.com/muralitharan-to-play-in-big-bash-league |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129075724/http://www.wisdenindia.com/muralitharan-to-play-in-big-bash-league |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 November 2021 |title=Muralitharan to play in big bash league |publisher=Wisden India |date=12 July 2012 }}</ref>

==International career==
===Bowling style and career progress===
[[File:MMuralidaranBowling.png|thumb|right|600px|A graph showing Muralitharan's Test career bowling statistics and how they have varied over time]]

Muralitharan is the first wrist-spinning off-spinner in the history of the game.<ref name="Art of the obvious">{{cite web |url=http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/slveng/content/story/323376.html |title=The art of the obvious |first=Suresh |last=Menon |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |date=4 December 2007 |access-date=4 December 2007 |archive-date=5 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071205225007/http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/slveng/content/story/323376.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
He bowls marathon spells, yet he is usually on the attack. His unique bowling action begins with a short run-up, and culminates with an open-chested extremely wristy release from a partly supinated forearm which had him mistaken for a [[leg spin|leg-spinner]] early in his career by [[Allan Border]].<ref name="Observer Straight man">{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2004/jul/11/cricket.theobserver |title=Straight man |first=Shahriar |last=Khan |work=[[The Observer|Observer Sport]] |date=11 July 2004 |access-date=15 December 2007 |location=London |archive-date=7 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080107101157/http://observer.guardian.co.uk/sport/story/0,6903,1258512,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Aside from his stock delivery, the off-break, of which he claimed to have two variations (during a recorded television 'doosra' show off with Mark Nicholas from [[Channel 4]] in 2004), his main deliveries are a fast [[topspinner]] which lands on the seam and usually goes straight on, and the [[doosra]], a surprise delivery which turns from leg to off (the opposite direction of his stock delivery) with no easily discernible change of action.<ref name="Muttiah Muralitharan - Legend / The Genius">{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GDwG14GcwE| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140620045656/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GDwG14GcwE| archive-date=2014-06-20 | url-status=dead|title= Visual comparison of Murali's off-break and doosra actions|via=YouTube|access-date=17 January 2008}}</ref><ref name="Muttiah Muralitharan Bowling action dissected">{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5i8CdcjCQ8k| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140620051119/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5i8CdcjCQ8k&feature=related| archive-date=2014-06-20 | url-status=dead|title= Bowling action dissected|via=YouTube|access-date=17 March 2008}}</ref> Additionally, he would occasionally use one of his several unnamed novelties. His super-flexible wrist makes him especially potent and guarantees him turn on any surface.<ref name="Profile ESPNcricinfo" />

From his debut in 1992, Muralitharan took 800 [[Test cricket|Test]] wickets and over 500 [[One Day International]] wickets, becoming the first player to take 1,000 wickets combined in the two main forms of international cricket.

===Test cricket===
====Emerging years====
On 28 August 1992 at the age of 20, Muralitharan made his debut against Australia at the Khettarama Stadium and claimed 3 for 141. [[Craig McDermott]] was his first Test wicket.

In August 1993 at Moratuwa, Muralitharan captured 5 for 104 in South Africa's first innings, his first five-wicket haul in Tests. His wickets included [[Kepler Wessels]], [[Hansie Cronje]] and [[Jonty Rhodes]].

Prior to the eventful Boxing Day Test of 1995, Muralitharan had captured 80 wickets in 22 Tests at an unflattering average of 32.74. Even at that point in his career he was the leading wicket taker for Sri Lanka having gone past [[Rumesh Ratnayake]]'s aggregate of 73 wickets.

====Boxing Day Test 1995====
During the second Test between Sri Lanka and Australia at the [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]] on Boxing Day 1995, Australian umpire [[Darrell Hair]] called Muralitharan for throwing in front of a crowd of 55,239. The [[Off spin|off-spinner]] was [[no-ball]]ed seven times in three overs by Hair, who believed the then 23-year-old was bending his arm and straightening it in the process of delivery; an illegal action in cricket.

Muralitharan had bowled two overs before lunch from umpire [[Steve Dunne (cricket umpire)|Steve Dunne]]'s or the Members' End of the ground with umpire Hair at square leg and these passed without incident. At {{Nowrap|2:34&nbsp;pm}} he took up the attack from umpire Hair's or the southern end. Muralitharan's third over was a [[Over (cricket)|maiden]] with all [[Bowling (cricket)|deliveries]] again passed as legitimate but in his fourth Hair no-balled him twice for throwing on the fourth and sixth balls. The umpire continued to call him three times in his fifth over on the second, fourth and sixth balls. While the bowler stood with his hands on his hips perplexed, the five calls provoked an immediate response by the Sri Lankan captain [[Arjuna Ranatunga]] who left the field at {{Nowrap|3:03&nbsp;pm}} to take advice from his team management. He returned at {{Nowrap|3:08&nbsp;pm}} and continued with Muralitharan who was called two more times in his sixth over on the second and sixth balls. At {{Nowrap|3:17&nbsp;pm}} Ranatunga removed the bowler from the attack, although he reintroduced him at {{Nowrap|3:30&nbsp;pm}} at umpire Dunne's end. Although Hair reports in his book, "Decision Maker", that at the end of the tea break he stated that he would call Muralitharan no matter which end he bowled he did not do so. Muralitharan completed another twelve overs without further no-balls and, after bowling Mark Waugh, finished the day with figures of 18–3–58–1.<ref name="THE CONTROVERSY'">{{cite web|url=http://www.muralitharan.org/murali/bernard.htm|title=The Controversy|publisher=muralitharan.org|first=Bernard|last=Whimpress|access-date=20 March 2008|archive-date=3 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080703213924/http://www.muralitharan.org/murali/bernard.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

After being no-balled Muralitharan bowled a further 32 overs from umpire Steve Dunne's end without protest from either Dunne or Hair, at square leg. The Sri Lankan camp was outraged after the incident, but the [[International Cricket Council|ICC]] defended Hair, outlining a list of steps they had taken in the past to determine, without result, the legitimacy of Muralitharan's action.<ref name="Muralitharan">{{cite web
 |url          = http://www.mcg.org.au/default.asp?pg=historydisplay&articleid=196
 |title        = Muralitharan no-balled by Hair
 |work         = The People's Ground
 |access-date  = 20 March 2008
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20071217053020/http://www.mcg.org.au/default.asp?pg=historydisplay&articleid=196
 |archive-date = 17 December 2007
 |url-status   = dead
 |df           = dmy
 }}</ref> By calling Muralitharan from the bowlers' end Hair overrode what is normally regarded as the authority of the square leg umpire in adjudicating on throwing. Dunne would have had to break convention to support his partner.

At the end of the match the Sri Lankans requested from the ICC permission to confer with Hair to find out exactly how to remedy the problem with their bowler. Despite the game's controlling body agreeing to it, the Australian Cricket Board vetoed it on the grounds that it might lead to umpires being quizzed by teams after every game and meant that the throwing controversy would continue into the [[World Series Cup]] during the coming week. The Sri Lankans were disappointed they did not get an explanation and decided they would continue playing their bowler in matches not umpired by Hair and wanted to know whether other umpires would support or reject Hair's judgement.<ref name="Muralitharan no-balled by Hair">{{cite web |url=http://www.mcg.org.au/default.asp?pg=historydisplay&articleid=196 |title=Muralitharan no-balled by Hair |work=The People's Ground |access-date=20 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071217053020/http://www.mcg.org.au/default.asp?pg=historydisplay&articleid=196 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=17 December 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Muralitharan's action was cleared by the ICC after biomechanical analysis at the University of Western Australia and at the Hong Kong University of Science & Technology in 1996. They concluded that his action created the 'optical illusion of throwing'.<ref name="Profile ESPNcricinfo" />

====Mid career====
On 16 March 1997, Muralitharan became the first Sri Lankan to reach 100 test wickets, when he dismissed [[Stephen Fleming]] in the second innings of the Hamilton Test.

In January 1998, Muralitharan took his first ten-wicket haul against Zimbabwe in the first test at Kandy. Sri Lanka won by eight wickets and Muralitharan had figures of 12 for 117.

In August that same year Muralitharan produces his career-best test match figures of 16 for 220, in the one-off test against England. In England's second innings Muralitharan bowled a marathon 54.2 overs to pick up 9 for 65 runs,<ref name="Muralitharan 9 for 65">{{Cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EebphFKyzwY| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904004226/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EebphFKyzwY| archive-date=2015-09-04 | url-status=dead|title=Muralitharan, 9 for 65, Oval Test |via=YouTube |date=10 December 2008 |access-date=10 February 2009}}</ref> the other wicket being a run out. [[Ben Hollioake]] becomes his 200th test wicket. Sri Lanka won by ten wickets, their first Test victory in England. After breaking the world record for the most test wickets in 2007, Muralitharan commented that his 1998 performance at the Oval against England, was his career highlight. He stated "Everyone thought I was a good bowler then and I didn't look back from there."<ref name="Muralitharan test record">{{Cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/other_international/sri_lanka/7123499.stm |title=Muralitharan breaks Test record |work=BBC Sport |date=3 December 2007 |access-date=8 February 2009 |location=London |archive-date=16 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516234214/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/other_international/sri_lanka/7123499.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Playing his 58th test, Muralitharan claimed his 300th test wicket when he dismissed Shaun Pollock in the First Test in Durban, in December 2000. Only [[Dennis Lillee]] reached the milestone faster, in his 56th test.

On 4 January 2002 in Kandy Muralitharan might have finished with the best-ever figures for a single innings, but after he had claimed nine wickets against Zimbabwe [[Russel Arnold]] dropped a catch at short leg.<ref name="Art of the obvious" />
He missed out on the tenth when [[Chaminda Vaas]] dismissed [[Henry Olonga]] caught behind amid stifled appeals. Muralitharan follows up his 9 for 51 in the first innings with 4 for 64 in the second, equalling [[Richard Hadlee]]'s record of 10 ten-wicket match hauls, but needing 15 fewer Tests to do so.

On 15 January 2002 playing in his 72nd test, Muralitharan became the fastest and youngest to reach the 400-wicket landmark when he bowled Olonga in the third Test in Galle.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/slveng/content/story/323183.html |title=Timeline: Muttiah Muralitharan – Spinning his way to success |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |date=3 December 2007 |access-date=6 January 2008 |archive-date=7 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071207191708/http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/slveng/content/story/323183.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/1061149.html | title = Ask Steven – Youngest to reach wickets' milestiones | publisher = ESPNcricinfo | access-date = 11 October 2016 | archive-date = 11 October 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161011075557/http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/1061149.html | url-status = live }}</ref>

On 16 March 2004 Muralitharan became the fastest and the youngest bowler to reach 500 wickets during the second test between Sri Lanka and Australia played in Kandy. In his 87th test, he bowled Kasprowicz to claim his 500th victim just four days after Warne reached the landmark on the fifth day of the First Test between the two teams at Galle. Warne took 108 tests to reach 500. Muralitharan took 4–48 on the first day of the second Test as Australia were skittled for 120 in the first innings.<ref name="Murali 500 wickets">{{Cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/03/17/1079199236221.html |title=Murali, Warne strike |first=Michael |last=Donaldson |work=The Age |date=17 March 2004 |access-date=27 March 2008 |location=Melbourne |archive-date=9 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209051912/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/03/17/1079199236221.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Passing Walsh and Warne====
In May 2004, Muralitharan overtook [[West Indies cricket team|West Indian]] [[Courtney Walsh]]'s record of 519 [[Test cricket|Test match]] wickets to become the highest wicket-taker. Zimbabwe's [[Mluleki Nkala]] becomes Muralitharan's 520th scalp in Tests. Muralitharan held the record until [[Shane Warne]] claimed it in October 2004. Warne surpassed Muralitharan's mark of 532 wickets by dismissing India's [[Irfan Pathan]]. Warne said he enjoyed his duel with Muralitharan, who was sidelined following shoulder surgery at the time.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/373899/warne-breaks-muralitharans-test-wickets-record |title=Warne breaks Muralitharan's Test wickets record |work=Dawn |date=3 December 2007 |access-date=6 January 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041021043708/http://www.dawn.com/2004/10/16/spt6.htm |archive-date=21 October 2004 }}</ref>

After an outstanding year Muralitharan was adjudged as the [[Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World]] in 2006. In six Tests, he took 60 wickets. He took ten in each of four successive matches, the second time he performed such a feat. The opponents for his 60-wicket haul were England away, South Africa at home and New Zealand away: serious opposition. In all, Muralitharan took 90 wickets in 11 Tests in the calendar year.<ref name="Wisden Leading Cricketer In The World 2006">{{cite web|url=http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/287072.html|title=Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World 2006|first=Simon|last=Barnes|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=20 March 2008|archive-date=5 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090105115318/http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/287072.html|url-status=live}}</ref> For his performances in 2006, he was named in the World Test XI by ICC<ref name="ICC Test Team of the Year">[[ICC Test Team of the Year]]</ref>{{Circular reference|date=August 2019}} and ESPNcricinfo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/274468.html|title=Twelve from '06|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|date=2 January 2007|access-date=13 October 2019|archive-date=16 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716120313/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/274468.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In July 2007, Muttiah Muralitharan became the second bowler after Warne to capture 700 Test wickets. The off-spinner reached the landmark when he had Bangladesh's last man [[Syed Rasel]] caught in the deep by [[Farveez Maharoof]] on the fourth day of the [[Bangladeshi cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2007#3rd Test|third and final Test]] at the [[Asgiriya Stadium]] in Kandy. The dismissal signalled Sri Lanka's victory by an innings and 193 runs to give the host a 3–0 sweep of the series. Muralitharan finished with six wickets in each innings to claim 10 wickets or more in a Test for the 20th time.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.paktribune.com/sports/newsdetail.php?nid=3438 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130131003217/http://www.paktribune.com/sports/newsdetail.php?nid=3438 |url-status=dead |archive-date=31 January 2013 |title=Muralitharan takes 700th wicket |work=PakTribune |date=16 July 2007 |access-date=26 March 2008 }}</ref> However, he was unable to pass Warne's record of 708 wickets when Sri Lanka toured Australia in [[Sri Lankan cricket team in Australia in 2007–08#Test series|November 2007]], capturing just four wickets in two Test matches.

Muralitharan reclaimed the record for most Test wickets during the [[English cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2007–08#1st Test|first Test against England]] at [[Kandy]] on {{Nowrap|3 December}} 2007. The spinner bowled England's [[Paul Collingwood]] to claim his 709th Test victim and overtaking Shane Warne in the process.<ref name="Cricinfo record story"/> Muralitharan reached the mark in his 116th Test – 29 fewer than Warne – and had conceded only 21.77 runs per wicket compared to the Australian's 25.41. This was Muralitharan's 61st 5-wicket haul.<ref name="Test record" /><ref name="BBC record 2007-12-03">{{Cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/england/7124486.stm |title=Murali record dents England hopes |work=BBC Sport |date=3 December 2007 |access-date=3 December 2007 |location=London |first=Oliver |last=Brett |archive-date=6 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071206115634/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/7124486.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Warne believed that Muralitharan would take "1,000 wickets" before he retired.<ref name="Warne comments">{{Cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/3626081.stm |title=Warne backs Murali record |first=John |last=May |work=BBC Sport |date=14 April 2004 |access-date=18 December 2007 |location=London |archive-date=16 April 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040416011139/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/3626081.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Former record holder [[Courtney Walsh]] also opined that this would be possible if Muralitharan retained his hunger for wickets.<ref name="Walsh comments">{{Cite news |url=http://ia.rediff.com/cricket/2006/nov/10walsh1.htm |title=Murali could reach 1000 wkts: Walsh |first=Harish |last=Kotlan |work=Rediff.com |date=10 November 2006 |access-date=18 December 2007 |archive-date=20 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120111627/http://ia.rediff.com/cricket/2006/nov/10walsh1.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Muralitharan himself believed there was a possibility that he would reach this milestone.<ref name="Murali prediction">{{Cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/other_international/sri_lanka/6209055.stm |title=I can take 1,000 wickets – Murali |work=BBC Sport |date=25 December 2006 |access-date=18 December 2007 |location=London |archive-date=10 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210042554/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/other_international/sri_lanka/6209055.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> For his performances in 2007, he was named in the World Test XI by ICC<ref name="ICC Test Team of the Year"/>{{Circular reference|date=August 2019}} and ESPNcricinfo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/review2007/content/story/328571.html|title=Mainly Aussie|last=Premachandran|first=Dileep|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|date=3 January 2008|access-date=13 October 2019|archive-date=27 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191127160815/http://www.espncricinfo.com/review2007/content/story/328571.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Beyond the world record====
In July 2008, Muralitharan and [[Ajantha Mendis]] stopped India's strong batting as Sri Lanka won the first Test by a record innings and 239 runs in Colombo. Muralitharan finished the match with 11 wickets for 110, as India were shot out for 138 in their second innings after conceding a lead of 377 on the fourth day. He was well supported by debutant [[Ajantha Mendis]], an unorthodox [[Bowling (cricket)|spinner]] with plenty of variation, who took eight wickets in his debut match.

Muralitharan believed the emergence of Mendis would help prolong his own career. Muralitharan, 36, and 23-year-old Mendis formed a formidable partnership in the first Test thrashing of India, taking 19 of the 20 wickets between them. "If he keeps performing this way, he will definitely take a lot of wickets in international cricket. Now that he has come, I think I can play Test cricket a few more years. Bowling 50 overs in a Test innings is very hard. Now if I bowl only 30–35 and he bowls more than me, the job will get easier for me."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080726/wl_sthasia_afp/cricketsriind |title=India crash to big defeat after Murali-Mendis magic |work=Yahoo news |date=26 July 2008 |access-date=27 July 2008 }}{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

For his performances in 2008, he was named in the World Test XI by ICC<ref name="ICC Test Team of the Year"/>{{Circular reference|date=August 2019}}.

====Performance analysis====
{|class="wikitable collapsible" style="width:42em; text-align:center; float:right; margin-left:1em;"
|-
!colspan="12" style="white-space:nowrap; text-align:left;"|Table: Test bowling performance
|-
|colspan="12" style="font-size:90%; text-align:left;"|A Summary of Muralitharan's Test bowling performance against all opponents.
|-
!style="text-align:left;"|Versus!!M!!O!!M!!R!!W!!5w!!10w!!Best!!Avg!!S/R!!E/R
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Australia||13*||685.3||100||2128||59||5||1||6 for 59||36.07||69.7||3.1
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Bangladesh||11||452.0||114||1190||89||11||4||6 for 18||13.37||30.4||2.6
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|England||16||1102.1||348||2247||112||8||4||9 for 65||20.06||59.0||2.0
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|India||22||1125.2||215||3297||105||7||2||8 for 87||32.32||66.1||2.9
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|New Zealand||14||753.2||203||1776||82||5||1||6 for 87||21.53||55.1||2.3
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Pakistan||16||782.5||184||2027||80||5||1||6 for 71||25.46||58.7||2.6
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|South Africa||15||984.4||221||2311||104||11||4||7 for 84||22.22||56.8||2.3
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|West Indies||12||622.3||143||1609||82||9||3||8 for 46||19.62||45.5||2.6
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Zimbabwe||14||786.5||259||1467||87||6||2||9 for 51||16.86||54.2||1.9
|- style="font-weight:bold"
|style="text-align:left;"|Overall (9)||133||7339.5||1794||18180||800||67||22||9 for 51||22.72||55.0||2.5
|-
|style="text-align:left;" colspan="12"| Source: ESPNcricinfo<ref name="Test bowling analysis">{{cite web|title=Test bowling analysis |url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/49636.html?class=1;template=results;type=bowling |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=23 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100529204826/http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/49636.html?class=1%3Btemplate%3Dresults%3Btype%3Dbowling |archive-date=29 May 2010 }}</ref> *Including one for an [[2005 ICC Super Series|ICC World XI]]
|}

In July 2007, Muralitharan achieved a career peak Test Bowling Rating of 920, based on the LG [[ICC Player Rankings]]. This is the highest ever rating achieved by a spin bowler in Test cricket. This also puts him in fourth place in the LG ICC Best-Ever Test bowling ratings.<ref>{{Cite news |title=LG ICC Best-Ever Test Bowling Ratings |url=http://www.cricketratings.com/ |access-date=22 January 2008 |archive-date=27 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080127210050/http://www.cricketratings.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Muralitharan has the unique distinction of getting 10 or more wickets in a match against all other nine Test playing nations as well as capturing over 50 wickets against each of them. He also obtained 7 or more wickets in an innings against five nations, namely England, India, South Africa, [[West Indies]] and [[Zimbabwe]] (refer to table above). Muttiah Muralitharan also took at least five [[five-for]]s against all the other nine Test teams.

He currently holds the highest wickets/match ratio (6.1) for any bowler with over 200 [[Test cricket|Test]] wickets and also represented Sri Lanka in 118 Tests of the 175 that they have played (67.4%).

Against teams excluding Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, Muralitharan took 624 wickets in 108 Tests. By comparison, excluding his matches against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, Warne took 691 wickets in 142 tests. Murali's average of 24.05 is slightly superior to Warne's career average of 25.41. Muralitharan won 18 Man of the Match awards in Test cricket.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Muralitharan – Man of Match Awards (Test Cricket) |url=http://www.howstat.com/cricket/Statistics/Misc/MiscManOfMatch2.asp?PlayerID=1234 |work=HowSTAT |access-date=23 February 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050302072533/http://www.howstat.com/cricket/Statistics/Misc/MiscManOfMatch2.asp?PlayerId=1234 |archive-date=2 March 2005 }}</ref>

During Muralitharan's playing days, the ICC Future Tours Programme denied Sri Lanka and several other teams a level playing field. As a consequence Muralitharan never toured South Africa after December 2002 and never playing a Test at the spin-friendly Sydney Cricket Ground.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/468490.html |title=Dileep Premachandran: Nobody could have done it better than Murali |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=1 April 2011 |archive-date=27 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100727185540/http://www.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/468490.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Another comparison of Muralitharan's bowling record against other successful international bowlers is their career record away from home. Muralitharan received criticism that he enjoyed great success on home soil, taking wickets on pitches that are more spin-friendly than other international pitches.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Warne is better than Murali |url=http://blogs.news.com.au/heraldsun/robertcraddock/index.php/heraldsun/comments/warnevmurali/ |author=Robert Craddock Blog |work=Herald Sun |access-date=31 March 2008 |archive-date=24 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071124020641/http://blogs.news.com.au/heraldsun/robertcraddock/index.php/heraldsun/comments/warnevmurali/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> A quick analysis of his Test record of matches played outside Sri Lanka shows that from 52 matches he took 278 wickets at an average of 26.24 runs per wicket, with a strike rate of 60.1 balls per wicket.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/player/49636.html?class=1;template=results;type=bowling|title=ESPNcricinfo – M Muralitharan – Test matches – Bowling analysis|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=31 March 2008|archive-date=31 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081231003851/http://stats.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/player/49636.html?class=1;template=results;type=bowling|url-status=live}}</ref> Similarly, spin bowling rival Shane Warne retired with a slightly superior 'away' record of 362 wickets from 73 matches, at an average of 25.50 and a strike rate of 56.7.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/player/8166.html?class=1;template=results;type=bowling|title=ESPNcricinfo – SK Warne – Test matches – Bowling analysis|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=31 March 2008}}</ref> Due to the variabilities of Test cricket such as grounds played at and opposition played against it is difficult to compare the quality of the top level players and, as such, is very difficult and subjective. However, it is clear that Muralitharan did much better playing at home to test minnows Zimbabwe and Bangladesh, averaging less than 16 runs a wicket.

Cricinfo's statistics editor S Rajesh concluded that the decade 2000–2009 was the best 10-year period for Test batsmen since the 1940s.<ref>{{cite web |author=S Rajesh |url=http://www.cricinfo.com/decadereview2009/content/story/441892.html |title=Why 55 is the new 50. Decade Review 2009 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |date=4 January 2010 |access-date=1 April 2011 |archive-date=20 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100420092010/http://www.cricinfo.com/decadereview2009/content/story/441892.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Muralitharan was clearly the leading Test wicket-taker during this period, capturing 565 wickets at 20.97 in spite of the dominance of the bat over ball. [[Shane Warne]] captured 357 wickets at an average of 25.17 during the decade.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/most_wickets_career.html?class=1;id=200;type=decade |title=Cricket Records. Most wickets |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |date=1 January 1970 |access-date=1 April 2011 |archive-date=4 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100304062124/http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/most_wickets_career.html?class=1;id=200;type=decade |url-status=live }}</ref> Of spinners with over Test 100 wickets only John Briggs (17.75), [[Jim Laker]] (21.24), [[Bill O'Reilly (cricketer)|Bill O'Reilly]] (22.59) and [[Clarrie Grimmett]] (24.21) have sub 25.00 bowling averages.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283256.html |title=Records. Best career bowling average |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |date=1 January 1970 |access-date=1 April 2011 |archive-date=21 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100421233007/http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283256.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Muralitharan was on the winning team on 54 of the 133 test matches he played. In those games he captured a total of 438 wickets (8.1 wickets per match), at an outstanding average of 16.18 per wicket and a strike rate of 42.7.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/49636.html?class=1;result=1;template=results;type=bowling |title=Bowling records. Test matches |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |date=1 January 1970 |access-date=1 April 2011}}</ref>
Muralitharan took 795 wickets for his country Sri Lanka in 132 tests. The next most wickets for Sri Lanka in these 132 Tests was [[Chaminda Vaas]]' 309 – less than 40% of the spinner's pile. No one else managed 100. Collectively Sri Lankan bowlers tallied 1968 wickets across that span, of which Muralitharan accounted for 40.4%. Among the 24 other Sri Lankans who took more than 10 of those wickets, only [[Lasith Malinga]] did so at a better strike rate (52.3) than Muralitharan's 54.9 – and the latter bowled rather more overs, 6657.1 of them to be precise.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/470754.html |title=Rob Steen: Muttiah Muralitharan, the ultimate MVP |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=1 April 2011 |archive-date=6 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101006140505/http://www.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/470754.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Test wicket milestones====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Number
! Batsman
! Method
! Score
! Team
! Match #
! Test #
! Notes
|-
| 1st<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.muralitharan.com/?mode=milestones&PHPSESSID=9a6d4c8e0c501c8f5c3d439cf15ec83f|title=The Test wicket milestones|publisher=Muralitharn.com|access-date=25 February 2008|archive-date=14 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714133158/http://www.muralitharan.com/?mode=milestones&PHPSESSID=9a6d4c8e0c501c8f5c3d439cf15ec83f|url-status=live}}</ref>
| [[Craig McDermott]]
| [[Leg before wicket|lbw]]
| 9
| {{cr|AUS}}
| 1
| 1195
|
|-
| 50th
| [[Navjot Sidhu]]
| caught [[Ruwan Kalpage]]
| 43
| {{cr|IND}}
| 13
| 1247
|
|-
| 74th
| [[Inzamam-ul-Haq]]
| caught and bowled
| 26
| {{cr|PAK}}
| 20
| 1305
| Breaks [[Rumesh Ratnayake]]'s Sri Lankan record<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/153545.html|title=Pakistan v Sri Lanka—Second Test match|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=25 July 2010|archive-date=10 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100810045822/http://www.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/153545.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| 100th<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/153330.html|title=Second Test match: New Zealand v Sri Lanka|publisher=Wisden|access-date=30 July 2010}}</ref>
| [[Stephen Fleming]]
| bowled
| 59
| {{cr|NZL}}
| 27
| 1359
|
|-
| 150th<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63782.html|title=2nd Test: Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe at Colombo (SSC), January 14–18, 1998|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=18 August 2011|archive-date=26 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226135454/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63782.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| [[Guy Whittall]]
| caught [[Mahela Jayawardene]]
| 17
| {{cr|ZIM}}
| 36
| 1395
|
|-
| 200th<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63809.html|title=Sri Lanka in England Test match: England v Sri Lanka|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=30 July 2010|archive-date=4 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100804034933/http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63809.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| [[Dominic Cork]]
| caught [[Romesh Kaluwitharana]]
| 8
| {{cr|ENG}}
| 42
| 1423
|
|-
| 250th<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/153908.html|title=Third Test match: Pakistan v Sri Lanka 1999–2000|publisher=Wisden|access-date=30 July 2010|archive-date=31 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100131025714/http://www.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/153908.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| [[Naved Ashraf]]
| lbw
| 27
| {{cr|PAK}}
| 51
| 1489
|
|-
| 300th<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/87101.html|title=Muralitharan takes 11 but South Africa have better of drawn first Test|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=30 July 2010}}</ref>
| [[Shaun Pollock]]
| caught [[Tillakaratne Dilshan]]
| 11
| {{cr|RSA}}
| 58
| 1526
|
|-
| 350th<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/srilanka/content/story/110264.html|title=Muralitharan reaches 350 Test wicket mark in record time|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=30 July 2010|archive-date=11 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100611153605/http://www.cricinfo.com/srilanka/content/story/110264.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| [[Mohammad Sharif (cricketer)|Mohammad Sharif]]
| caught and bowled
| 19
| {{cr|BAN}}
| 66
| 1561
|
|-
| 400th<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/154967.html|title=Third Test match: Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe|publisher=Wisden|access-date=30 July 2010|archive-date=13 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100813120636/http://www.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/154967.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| [[Henry Olonga]]
| bowled
| 0
| {{cr|ZIM}}
| 72
| 1585
|
|-
| 450th<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/214631.html|title=Second Test match: Sri Lanka v New Zealand|publisher=Wisden|access-date=30 July 2010|archive-date=27 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090827051025/http://www.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/214631.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| [[Daryl Tuffey]]
| caught [[Sanath Jayasuriya]]
| 1
| {{cr|NZL}}
| 80
| 1644
|
|-
| 500th<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/140086.html|title=Muralitharan slots into 500-wicket club|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=30 July 2010|archive-date=16 September 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100916031432/http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/140086.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| [[Michael Kasprowicz]]
| bowled
| 0
| {{cr|AUS}}
| 87
| 1688
|
|-
| 520th
| [[Mluleki Nkala]]
| caught [[Mahela Jayawardene]]
| 24
| {{cr|ZIM}}
| 89
| 1698
| Breaks [[Courtney Walsh]]'s world record<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/140761.html|title=Murali makes history as Zimbabwe fall apart|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=30 July 2010|archive-date=20 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100520151159/http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/140761.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| 550th
| [[Khaled Mashud]]
| caught [[Thilan Samaraweera]]
| 2
| {{cr|BAN}}
| 94
| 1764
|
|-
| 600th
| [[Khaled Mashud]]
| caught [[Lasith Malinga]]
| 6
| {{cr|BAN}}
| 101
| 1786
|
|-
| 650th
| [[Makhaya Ntini]]
| caught [[Farveez Maharoof]]
| 13
| {{cr|RSA}}
| 108
| 1812
|
|-
| 700th
| [[Syed Rasel]]
| caught [[Farveez Maharoof]]
| 4
| {{cr|BAN}}
| 113
| 1839
|
|-
| 709th
| [[Paul Collingwood]]
| bowled
| 45
| {{cr|ENG}}
| 116
| 1851
| Breaks [[Shane Warne]]'s world record
|-
| 750th
| [[Sourav Ganguly]]
| stumped [[Prasanna Jayawardene]]
| 16
| {{cr|IND}}
| 122
| 1884
|
|-
| 800th
| [[Pragyan Ojha]]
| caught [[Mahela Jayawardene]]
| 13
| {{cr|IND}}
| 133
| 1964
|His final delivery in Test cricket
|}

===One day internationals===
[[File:Muttiah Muralitharan.jpg|thumb|right|Muralitharan bowling to [[Adam Gilchrist]] in an ODI in 2006.]]

====Career summary====
On 12 August 1993 Muralitharan made his One Day International (ODI) debut against India at the Khettarama Stadium and took 1 for 38 off ten overs. [[Pravin Amre]] was his first ODI wicket.

On 27 October 2000 in Sharjah, Muralitharan captured 7 for 30 against India, which were then the best bowling figures in One Day Internationals.

On 9 April 2002 Muralitharan achieved a career peak ODI Bowling Rating of 913, based on the LG ICC Player Rankings. This is the highest ever rating achieved by a spin bowler in One Day Internationals. This also puts him in fourth place in the LG ICC Best-Ever ODI bowling ratings.<ref>{{Cite news|url= http://www.cricketratings.com/|title= LG ICC Best-Ever ODI Bowling Ratings|access-date= 12 February 2008|archive-date= 27 January 2008|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080127210050/http://www.cricketratings.com/|url-status= live}}</ref>

In 2006, Muralitharan had the second (now third) highest number of runs (99) hit off him in a One Day International Innings. The Australians, especially Adam Gilchrist, attacked Muralitharan's bowling more than usual that day. Yet, for his performances in 2006, he was named in the World ODI XI by the ICC.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ricky Ponting takes top honours at glittering ICC Awards night|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-awards/content/story/266801.html|date=2006-11-03|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en|access-date=2020-05-24|archive-date=4 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804091358/https://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-awards/content/story/266801.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Muralitharan does not have a great record against the Australians in ODIs and this was proved again as he was ineffective in the finals of the 2007 World Cup; his chief tormentor again being Gilchrist.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/102992.html |title=ESPNcricinfo – Records – One-Day Internationals – Most runs conceded in an innings |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=1 April 2011 |archive-date=22 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100422020838/http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/102992.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Yet, for his performances in 2007, he was named in the World ODI XI by the ICC.<ref>[[ICC ODI Team of the Year]]</ref>{{Circular reference|date=August 2019}} He was named in the 'Team of the Tournament' by ESPNcricinfo for the 2007 World Cup.<ref>{{Cite web|title=And the winners are ...|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/22952952/and-winners|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en|access-date=2020-05-24|archive-date=14 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214064851/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/22952952/and-winners|url-status=live}}</ref>

Muralitharan played in five [[Cricket World Cup]] tournaments, in 1996, 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011. He captured 67 World Cup wickets and is second in the list behind Glenn McGrath who has 71,<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/most_wickets_career.html?id=12;type=trophy |title=Most Wickets – World Cup |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |date=3 December 2007 |access-date=2 February 2008 |archive-date=14 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080214084157/http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/most_wickets_career.html?id=12%3Btype%3Dtrophy |url-status=live }}</ref> and represented Sri Lanka in three World Cup finals. In 1996 Muralitharan was part of Sri Lanka's World Cup winning team that defeated Australia in [[Lahore]], Pakistan. Muralitharan also played in the 2007 World Cup final, when Australia defeated Sri Lanka in [[Bridgetown]], Barbados. He picked up 23 wickets in the 2007 World Cup, and finished as the second highest wicket taker in the tournament behind [[Glenn McGrath]]. He was part of the 2011 team who lost the world cup final against India in Mumbai. It was his farewell match as well. He was named in the 'Team of the Tournament' for the 2011 World Cup by the ICC.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sachin, Zaheer, Yuvi in ICC's World Cup XI|url=https://sports.ndtv.com/world-cup-2011/sachin-zaheer-yuvi-in-iccs-world-cup-xi-1572998|website=NDTVSports.com|language=en|access-date=2020-05-24|archive-date=24 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924085110/https://sports.ndtv.com/world-cup-2011/sachin-zaheer-yuvi-in-iccs-world-cup-xi-1572998|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Muttiah Muralitharan was left out of the Sri Lankan one-day squad to tour [[West Indies]] in April 2008. The chairman of selectors [[Ashantha De Mel]] clarifying the non-selection stated that "We know he (Muralitharan) can still play in the next World Cup if he is properly looked after, so we want to use him sparingly to preserve him for the big games and the World Cup coming up in the Asian sub-continent where Muralitharan will be a threat."<ref name=omit>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/other_international/sri_lanka/7291858.stm ''Sri Lanka leave out Muralitharan'']  ''[[BBC News]]'' retrieved {{Nowrap|13 March}} 2008</ref><ref name="De Mel comments">{{Cite news|url=http://msn.foxsports.com/cricket/story/7906628/Jayasuriya-still-has-future---De-Mel |title=Jayasuriya-still-has-future—De-Mel |work=Fox Sports |date=13 March 2008 |access-date=16 March 2008 }}{{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Muralitharan has the highest number of career wickets in One Day Internationals, having overtaken [[Wasim Akram]] on {{Nowrap|5 February}} 2009. Akram took 502 wickets in 356 matches. On {{Nowrap|3 February}} 2009, Muralitharan dismissed [[Yuvraj Singh]] in his 327th match, the third ODI against [[India national cricket team|India]] in [[Colombo]] to equal [[Akram]]'s record. He won 13 Man of the Match awards in this form of the game.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.howstat.com/cricket/Statistics/Misc/MiscManOfMatch2_ODI.asp?PlayerID=1234 |title=Muralitharan – Man of Match Awards (ODI Cricket) |work=HowSTAT |access-date=23 February 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050324004410/http://www.howstat.com/cricket/Statistics/Misc/MiscManOfMatch2_ODI.asp?PlayerID=1234 |archive-date=24 March 2005 }}</ref>

===Batting===
An aggressive lower order batsman who usually batted at No. 11, Muralitharan was known for his tendency to back away to leg and slog. Sometimes, he could be troublesome for bowlers because of his unorthodox and adventurous ways. Once, in a Test match against England, while playing Alex Tudor, he moved back towards his leg stump trying to hook the ball and ended up lying on the ground sideways after the shot. He was infamously run out in a match against New Zealand when he left his crease to congratulate [[Kumar Sangakkara]], who had just scored a single to reach his century; the New Zealand fielder had not yet returned the ball to the wicketkeeper, so the ball was still in play. His highest Test score of 67 came against India at Kandy in 2001, including three sixes and five fours.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/276556.html |title=ESPNcricinfo&nbsp;XI: Long live the tail |first=Andrew |last=Miller |date=16 January 2007 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=31 January 2008 |archive-date=27 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071227040110/http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/276556.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He made valuable scores on occasion, including 30 runs against England at the Oval in 1998, including 5 fours,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1998/SL_IN_ENG/SCORECARDS/SL_ENG_T_27-31AUG1998.html |title=Test match: England v Sri Lanka at The Oval, 27–31 August 1998 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=1 April 2011 |archive-date=6 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071206210616/http://www.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1998/SL_IN_ENG/SCORECARDS/SL_ENG_T_27-31AUG1998.html |url-status=live }}</ref> 38 runs (4 fours, 1 six) against England at Galle in 2003,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2003-04/ENG_IN_SL/SCORECARDS/ENG_SL_T1_02-06DEC2003.html |title=1st Test: Sri Lanka v England at Galle, 2–6 December 2003 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=1 April 2011 |archive-date=24 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071224014808/http://www.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2003-04/ENG_IN_SL/SCORECARDS/ENG_SL_T1_02-06DEC2003.html |url-status=live }}</ref> 43 runs (5 fours, 3 sixes) against Australia at Kandy in 2004<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2003-04/AUS_IN_SL/SCORECARDS/AUS_SL_T2_16-20MAR2004.html |title=2nd Test: Sri Lanka v Australia at Kandy, 16–20 March 2004 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=1 April 2011 |archive-date=23 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090423001021/http://www.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2003-04/AUS_IN_SL/SCORECARDS/AUS_SL_T2_16-20MAR2004.html |url-status=live }}</ref> 36 runs against the West Indies at Colombo in 2005,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2005/WI_IN_SL/SCORECARDS/WI_SL_T1_13-17JUL2005.html |title=1st Test: Sri Lanka v West Indies at Colombo (SSC), 13–17 July 2005 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=1 April 2011 |archive-date=8 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081008013322/http://www.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2005/WI_IN_SL/SCORECARDS/WI_SL_T1_13-17JUL2005.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and his highest-ever ODI score, 33 [[not out]] (4 fours and 2 sixes off 16 balls) against Bangladesh in the final of the [[Tri-Series in Bangladesh in 2008-09|2009 Tri-Series in Bangladesh]].<ref name="2009 Tri-Series Final scorecard">{{cite news |url=http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/tri-bdesh/engine/match/378756.html |title=ODI no, 2794, Tri-Nation Tournament in Bangladesh – Final, Bangladesh v. Sri Lanka |date=16 January 2009 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=16 January 2009 |archive-date=16 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116231700/http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/tri-bdesh/engine/match/378756.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In the latter match, Muralitharan's effort, which included three fours and a six off one over, played a key role in Sri Lanka winning the match and series after the first eight overs saw them reduced to 6 for 5, the lowest score ever recorded in an ODI at the fall of the fifth wicket.<ref name="2009 Tri-Series Final report">{{cite news |url=http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/tri-bdesh/content/story/386587.html |title=Murali cameo clinches humdinger |date=16 January 2009 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=16 January 2009 |archive-date=16 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116231650/http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/tri-bdesh/content/story/386587.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Muralitharan has a strike rate close to 70 in Test cricket and scored over 55% of his Test runs in fours and sixes.<ref name="Profile ESPNcricinfo" />

Muralitharan, together with [[Chaminda Vaas]], holds the record for the highest 10th wicket partnership in Tests for Sri Lanka. The pair put on 79 runs for the last wicket at the [[Asgiriya Stadium]] against Australia in March 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/fow/highest_partnerships_by_wicket.html?class=1;id=8;type=team |title=Sri Lanka, Test matches, Highest partnerships by wicket |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=2 March 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071121061250/http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/fow/highest_partnerships_by_wicket.html?class=1%3Bid%3D8%3Btype%3Dteam |archive-date=21 November 2007 }}</ref> Muralitharan also holds the record for scoring most runs in Test cricket while batting at the number 11 position.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.howstat.com/cricket/Statistics/Batting/BattingBestAggregateForPosition.asp |title=Most test runs in each batting position |work=Howstat |access-date=2 March 2008 |archive-date=6 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706033333/http://www.howstat.com/cricket/statistics/Batting/BattingBestAggregateForPosition.asp |url-status=live }}</ref>

Muralitharan currently holds the record for the most [[duck (cricket)|ducks]] (dismissals for zero) ever in international cricket (Tests, ODI's and Twenty20), with a total of 59 ducks.<ref name="ReferenceA">''Cricinfo'', [http://www.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/431248.html Ask Steven (Most ducks in international cricket; most ducks as opener batsman] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100526195703/http://www.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/431248.html |date=26 May 2010 }}</ref>

===Abuse in Australia===
Muralitharan voiced his frustration at routinely being heckled by Australian crowds who accused him of throwing – one common jeer directed at him was "No Ball!".<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/cwc2003/hi/newsid_2740000/newsid_2741800/2741859.stm |title=Jayasuriya fearful for Murali |work=BBC Sport |date=10 February 2003 |access-date=1 January 2008 |location=London |archive-date=6 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081106014909/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/cwc2003/hi/newsid_2740000/newsid_2741800/2741859.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/4680246.stm |title=Murali cleared by yet more tests |work=BBC Sport |date=4 February 2006 |access-date=1 January 2008 |location=London |archive-date=7 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071207010208/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/4680246.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/4676700.stm |title=Murali frustrated by Aussie jibes |work=BBC Sport |date=3 February 2006 |access-date=1 January 2008 |location=London |archive-date=26 June 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060626045200/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/4676700.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="The Age 2006-02-05">{{Cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/cricket/abuse-driven-by-jealousy-says-murali/2006/02/05/1139074109034.html |title=Abuse driven by jealousy, says Murali |first=Alex |last=Brown |work=The Age |date=5 February 2006 |access-date=28 December 2007 |location=Melbourne |archive-date=9 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100809192139/http://www.theage.com.au/news/cricket/abuse-driven-by-jealousy-says-murali/2006/02/05/1139074109034.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/columns/content/story/235625.html |title=Muralitharan reprimanded for gesture |agency=Agence France-Presse |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |date=3 February 2006 |access-date=1 January 2008 |archive-date=7 July 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707052753/http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/columns/content/story/235625.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Following the then Australian Prime Minister [[John Howard]]'s statement that Muralitharan was a "chucker",<ref name="The Age 2004-05-15">{{Cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/05/14/1084289883247.html |title=No doubts, PM says Murali's a chucker |work=The Age |date=15 May 2004 |access-date=4 February 2008 |location=Melbourne |archive-date=31 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100831135820/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/05/14/1084289883247.html |url-status=live }}</ref> in 2004, Muralitharan indicated that he would skip future tours to Australia.

[[Tom Moody]], the former Sri Lanka coach and former Australian Test cricketer, said he was embarrassed by the derogatory reaction and negative attention directed towards Muttiah Muralitharan by Australian crowds. Moody stated that "As an Australian when I have been with the Sri Lankan team in Australia, or playing against them in the World Cup, it's the only situation we find in the whole of the cricketing world where we have this disgraceful slant on a cricketer".<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/srilanka/content/story/296648.html |title=Aussie crowds embarrass Moody |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |date=2 June 2007 |access-date=1 January 2008 |archive-date=9 July 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120709164837/http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/srilanka/content/story/296648.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

During the [[2007–08 Commonwealth Bank Series|2008 Commonwealth Bank series]] in Australia, some members of the Sri Lankan contingent including Muralitharan, were the target of an egg throwing incident in [[Hobart]]. The Sri Lankan cricket selector [[Don Anurasiri]] was hit by an [[Egg as food|egg]], while Muralitharan and two others were verbally abused by a car-load of people as they were walking from a restaurant back to the hotel.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/cricket/lankans-security-boosted-after-eggthrowing-incident/2008/02/03/1201973741295.html|title=Lankans' security boosted after egg-throwing incident|work=The Age|date=4 February 2008|access-date=6 February 2008|location=Melbourne, Australia|first=Jamie|last=Pandaram|archive-date=12 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100812100540/http://www.theage.com.au/news/cricket/lankans-security-boosted-after-eggthrowing-incident/2008/02/03/1201973741295.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Due to the incident taking place at night, it is unclear whether Muralitharan was indeed the target of the culprits.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/cbs/content/current/story/334909.html|title=Rotten egg prank could have turned bad|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|date=4 February 2008|access-date=4 February 2008|archive-date=7 February 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080207153009/http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/cbs/content/current/story/334909.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Even though the Australian coach of the Sri Lankan team, [[Trevor Bayliss]], down-played the incident as "a non-event", Cricket Australia tightened security around the team. In response to this episode Muralitharan was quoted as saying "When you come to Australia, you expect such incidents".<ref>{{cite news|title=Murali says he expected nasty greeting in Australia|url=http://archive.deccanherald.com/DeccanHerald.com/Content/Feb42008/sports2008020450407.asp?section=updatenews|access-date=12 January 2016|work=[[Deccan Herald]]|date=4 February 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205190156/http://archive.deccanherald.com/DeccanHerald.com/Content/Feb42008/sports2008020450407.asp?section=updatenews|archive-date=5 February 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

At the conclusion of Muralitharan's test career cricket writer Rahul Bhattacharya summed up Muralitharan's trials thus:
"Murali is described often as a fox. This seems right. Unlike hedgehog bowlers who pursue one big idea, Murali, like a fox, had many ways of pursuit. Like a fox he did not hunt in a pack. Like a fox he was himself cruelly hunted for sport in some parts of the world. Fox hunting was banned a few years ago in England, but is still legal in Australia."<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.livemint.com/2010/07/29195103/Our-bowlers-and-other-animals.html| title = Archives Top and Latest News - mint| access-date = 1 August 2010| archive-date = 10 August 2010| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100810060059/http://www.livemint.com/2010/07/29195103/Our-bowlers-and-other-animals.html| url-status = live}}</ref>

===Retirement===
On 7 July 2010, Muttiah Muralitharan formally announced his retirement from Test cricket at a media briefing in Colombo. He confirmed that the first Test Match against India due to commence on {{Nowrap|18 July}}, 2010 would be his last, but indicated that he was willing to play One-Day Internationals if it was considered necessary leading up to the 2011 World Cup, which Sri Lanka co-hosted.<ref name="The Island">{{Cite news|url=http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=1639|title=Muralitharan wants youngsters to take over|work=The Island|date=9 July 2010|access-date=10 July 2010|archive-date=17 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110617061435/http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=1639|url-status=dead}}</ref> He identified Sri Lanka's World Cup win of 1996 as his greatest moment as a cricketer. He also stated that there were some regrets during his 19-year playing career. "Not winning Test matches in South Africa, Australia and India are regrets. But I am sure we will win very soon."<ref name="The Island"/>

At the start of his [[Indian cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2010|last match]], Muralitharan was eight short of 800 wickets.<ref name="Veera">{{cite web|last=Veera|first=Sriram|title=Murali gets 800, Sri Lanka win by ten wickets|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-india-2010/content/story/468370.html|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=22 July 2010|archive-date=25 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100725174848/http://www.cricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-india-2010/content/story/468370.html|url-status=live}}</ref> At the fall of the ninth wicket of the Indian's second innings Muralitharan still needed one wicket to reach the milestone. After 90 minutes of resistance Muralitharan was able to dismiss the last Indian batsman [[Pragyan Ojha]] on the last delivery of the final over of his Test career.<ref name="farewill">{{cite web|last=Monga|first=Sidharth|title=Murali's romanticised farewell|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-india-2010/content/current/story/468414.html|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=22 July 2010|archive-date=25 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100725153609/http://www.cricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-india-2010/content/current/story/468414.html|url-status=live}}</ref> By doing so he became the only bowler to reach 800 wickets in [[Test cricket]].<ref name="zeenews">{{cite web|title=Murali first man on earth to scale Mount-800|url=http://cricket.zeenews.com/IndiavsLanka/story.aspx?nid=31019|date=22 July 2010|publisher=Zeenews.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100725181308/http://cricket.zeenews.com/IndiavsLanka/story.aspx?nid=31019|archive-date=25 July 2010|access-date=22 July 2010}}</ref> Sri Lanka won the match by 10 wickets, the seventh time they have done so and the second time they have done it against India.<ref name="Veera" /><ref name="Anil Kumble pays tribute to Muralitharan">{{cite news|title = Murali: The man who reinvented spin bowling|work = BBC News|date = 22 July 2010|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-10708478|access-date = 22 July 2010|archive-date = 22 July 2010|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100722191335/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-10708478|url-status = live}}</ref>

In late 2010, Muralitharan announced his retirement<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://worldcupofcricket.com/cricketblog/2011/03/17/muttiah-muralitharan-to-quit-after-2011-cricket-world-cup/ |title=Muraltitharan to quit after 2011 Cricket World Cup |work=Cricket News |date=18 March 2011 |access-date=18 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110902154815/http://worldcupofcricket.com/cricketblog/2011/03/17/muttiah-muralitharan-to-quit-after-2011-cricket-world-cup/ |archive-date=2 September 2011 }}</ref> from international cricket after [[2011 Cricket World Cup]], co-hosted by Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka announcing "This World Cup will be my last outing. I am retiring totally from international cricket thereafter. My time is up. I've signed up to play for two years in IPL." His final ODI appearance in Sri Lankan soil came during the semi-final clash against New Zealand, where Muralitharan took the wicket of [[Scott Styris]] in his last delivery.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc_cricket_worldcup2011/content/story/508564.html |title=Murali's fitting run across the home stretch |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=29 March 2011 |archive-date=1 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401043020/http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc_cricket_worldcup2011/content/story/508564.html |url-status=live }}</ref> His last ODI was against India in the World Cup final at Mumbai, however Sri Lanka lost the match and Murali couldn't take any wickets.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc_cricket_worldcup2011/content/story/508885.html |title=Murali will play even with discomfort – Bayliss |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=31 March 2011 |archive-date=1 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401202101/http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc_cricket_worldcup2011/content/story/508885.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/509078.html |title=The two titans |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=1 April 2011 |archive-date=25 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425062611/http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/509078.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc_cricket_worldcup2011/content/story/509297.html |title='We're going to miss Murali terribly' – Sangakkara |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=3 April 2011 |archive-date=16 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190916135839/http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc_cricket_worldcup2011/content/story/509297.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==After retirement==
In July 2014, he played for the Rest of the World team in the [[Bicentenary Celebration match]] at [[Lord's]].<ref>{{cite web|title=MCC v Rest of the World – 5 July |url=http://www.lords.org/fixtures/fixtures-and-tickets/mcc-v-rest-of-the-world-5-july/ |work=Lord's |date=5 July 2014 |access-date=5 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140707031308/http://www.lords.org/fixtures/fixtures-and-tickets/mcc-v-rest-of-the-world-5-july/ |archive-date=7 July 2014 }}</ref>

==Coaching career==
Muralitharan has been the bowling coach of [[Sunrisers Hyderabad]] since 2015. Under his tenure the Sunrisers emerged as [[Indian Premier League|IPL]] Champions in 2016.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/india/content/story/822315.html |title=Muralitharan appointed as bowling coach |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=31 May 2017 |archive-date=19 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819193057/http://www.espncricinfo.com/india/content/story/822315.html |url-status=live}}</ref> He was appointed as team mentor for Thiruvallur Veerans in the 2nd edition of the [[Tamil Nadu Premier League|TNPL]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Former Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralitharan to mentor TNPL team |work=[[The Indian Express]] |date=2017-05-25 |access-date=2026-04-30 |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/former-sri-lanka-spinner-muttiah-muralitharan-to-mentor-tnpl-team-4673726/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2014, Muralitharan joined the Australian national team as a coaching consultant for the Test series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan-v-australia-2014/content/story/753457.html |title=Muralitharan joins Australia coaching staff |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=18 June 2014 |archive-date=18 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140618145313/http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan-v-australia-2014/content/story/753457.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On 11 March 2014, he was appointed as the spin bowling consultant for the [[Cricket Association of Bengal]]. The tenure started with the players in a four-day camp beginning on 15 March 2014.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/india/content/story/726975.html |title=Waqar, Murali take on coaching roles with Bengal |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=18 June 2014 |archive-date=20 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140320134903/http://www.espncricinfo.com/india/content/story/726975.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

He was again called up for the Australian team prior to [[Australian cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2016|Australia's tour of Sri Lanka in 2016]]. Despite his presence in the team as consultant, Australia failed to win any of the three Test matches, losing the series 3–0.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-australia-2016/content/story/1034157.html |title=Australia rope in Muralitharan as consultant ahead of Sri Lanka Tests |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=13 July 2016 |archive-date=14 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160714151451/http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-australia-2016/content/story/1034157.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Muralitharan's role in the Australian team generated controversy throughout the country and Sri Lanka Cricket, and Muralitharan traded verbal blows with the then Sri Lanka team manager [[Charith Senanayake]] following an altercation. The Head of SLC [[Thilanga Sumathipala]] warned Muralitharan for attempting to coach the Australian team, the team which gave more pressure to Muralitharan in the past due to his bowling actions. Muralitharan said that the team which was against him in the past but now called him to coach them to play against Sri Lanka was a big victory in his career.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-australia-2016/content/story/1039179.html |title=Murali and SLC involved in war of words |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=25 July 2016 |archive-date=26 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160726140431/http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-australia-2016/content/story/1039179.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==World records and achievements==
{{see also|List of international cricket five-wicket hauls by Muttiah Muralitharan}}
Muttiah Muralitharan holds a number of world records, and several firsts:
* The most Test wickets (800 wickets)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/93276.html |title=ESPNcricinfo – Records – Test matches – Most wickets in career |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |date=1 January 1970 |access-date=8 August 2014 |archive-date=23 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100823101322/http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/93276.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* The most One-Day International wickets (534 wickets)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283193.html |title=– Records – One-Day Internationals – Most wickets in career |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=8 August 2014 |archive-date=29 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100329174955/http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283193.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* The highest number of international wickets in Tests, ODIs and T20s combined (1347 wickets)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/srilanka/content/current/player/49636.html |title=ESPNcricinfo – Players and Officials – Muttiah Muralitharan |publisher=Content-usa.cricinfo.com |access-date=8 August 2014 |archive-date=17 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080917195408/http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/srilanka/content/current/player/49636.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283980.html |title=ESPNcricinfo – Most wickets in international career |access-date=8 August 2014 |archive-date=16 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151116034147/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283980.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* The most [[5-wicket haul]]s in an innings at Test level (67).<ref name="cricinfo.com">''Cricinfo'', [http://www.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/BOWLING/MOST_5WI_IN_CAREER.html Tests – Most 5 Wickets in an Innings] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070110221912/http://www.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/BOWLING/MOST_5WI_IN_CAREER.html |date=10 January 2007 }}</ref>
* The most [[10-wicket haul]]s in a match at Test level (22). He is the only player to take 10 wickets/match against every Test playing nation.<ref>''Cricinfo'', [http://www.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/BOWLING/MOST_10WM_IN_CAREER.html Tests – Most 10 Wickets in a Match] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070110223058/http://www.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/BOWLING/MOST_10WM_IN_CAREER.html |date=10 January 2007 }}</ref>
* Fastest to 350,<ref>''Cricinfo'', [http://www.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/BOWLING/FASTEST_CAREER_TEST_WKTS/TEST_FASTEST_TO_350_WKTS.html Tests – Fastest to 350 Career Wickets] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070219045941/http://www.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/BOWLING/FASTEST_CAREER_TEST_WKTS/TEST_FASTEST_TO_350_WKTS.html |date=19 February 2007 }}</ref> 400,<ref>''Cricinfo'', [http://www.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/BOWLING/FASTEST_CAREER_TEST_WKTS/TEST_FASTEST_TO_400_WKTS.html Tests – Fastest to 400 Career Wickets] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070219045952/http://www.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/BOWLING/FASTEST_CAREER_TEST_WKTS/TEST_FASTEST_TO_400_WKTS.html |date=19 February 2007 }}</ref> 450,<ref>''Cricinfo'', [http://www.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/BOWLING/FASTEST_CAREER_TEST_WKTS/TEST_FASTEST_TO_450_WKTS.html Tests – Fastest to 450 Career Wickets] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070219215436/http://www.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/BOWLING/FASTEST_CAREER_TEST_WKTS/TEST_FASTEST_TO_450_WKTS.html |date=19 February 2007 }}</ref> 500,<ref>''Cricinfo'', [http://www.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/BOWLING/FASTEST_CAREER_TEST_WKTS/TEST_FASTEST_TO_500_WKTS.html Tests – Fastest to 500 Career Wickets] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070219084831/http://www.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/BOWLING/FASTEST_CAREER_TEST_WKTS/TEST_FASTEST_TO_500_WKTS.html |date=19 February 2007 }}</ref> 550,<ref>''Cricinfo'', [http://www.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/BOWLING/FASTEST_CAREER_TEST_WKTS/TEST_FASTEST_TO_550_WKTS.html Tests – Fastest to 550 Career Wickets] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070219220012/http://www.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/BOWLING/FASTEST_CAREER_TEST_WKTS/TEST_FASTEST_TO_550_WKTS.html |date=19 February 2007 }}</ref> 600,<ref>''Cricinfo'', [https://archive.today/20120724173707/http://www.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/BOWLING/FASTEST_CAREER_TEST_WKTS/TEST_FASTEST_TO_600_WKTS.html Tests – Fastest to 600 Career Wickets]</ref> 650,<ref>''Cricinfo'', [https://archive.today/20120723003231/http://www.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/BOWLING/FASTEST_CAREER_TEST_WKTS/TEST_FASTEST_TO_650_WKTS.html Tests – Fastest to 650 Career Wickets]</ref> 700,<ref>''Cricinfo'', [https://archive.today/20120724193230/http://www.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/BOWLING/FASTEST_CAREER_TEST_WKTS/TEST_FASTEST_TO_700_WKTS.html Tests – Fastest to 700 Career Wickets]</ref> 750<ref>''Cricinfo'', [https://archive.today/20120728145915/http://www.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/BOWLING/FASTEST_CAREER_TEST_WKTS/TEST_FASTEST_TO_750_WKTS.html Tests – Fastest to 750 Career Wickets]</ref> and 800 Test wickets, in terms of matches played (indeed the only bowler to exceed 708 wickets).
* Only player to take 10 wickets in a Test in four consecutive matches. He achieved this feat twice.<ref>''Cricinfo'', [http://usa.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/BOWLING/MOST_CONSEC_10WM.html Tests – 10 Wickets in Most Consecutive Matches] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070622044852/http://usa.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/BOWLING/MOST_CONSEC_10WM.html |date=22 June 2007 }}</ref>
* Only player to take 50 or more wickets against every Test playing nation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newagebd.com/2006/mar/11/spt.html |title=Another Muttiah milestone |publisher=NewAgeSports |last=Majumder |first=Azad |date=11 March 2006 |access-date=23 January 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930203415/http://www.newagebd.com/2006/mar/11/spt.html |archive-date=30 September 2007 }}</ref>
* Muralitharan and [[Jim Laker]] (England), are the only bowlers to have taken 9 wickets in a Test innings twice.
* 7 wickets in an innings against the most countries (5).<ref>''Cricinfo'', [http://usa.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/BOWLING/TRIVIA/7WI_AGAINST_MOST_COUNTRIES.html Tests – 7 Wickets in an Innings against Most Countries] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622033547/http://usa.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/BOWLING/TRIVIA/7WI_AGAINST_MOST_COUNTRIES.html |date=22 June 2011 }}</ref>
* Most Test wickets taken [[bowled]] (167),<ref>''Cricinfo'',
[http://usa.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/BOWLING/TRIVIA/MOST_TEST_BOWLED.html Tests – Most Wickets Taken Bowled] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070129042737/http://usa.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/BOWLING/TRIVIA/MOST_TEST_BOWLED.html |date=29 January 2007 }}</ref> stumped (47)<ref>''Cricinfo'', [http://usa.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/BOWLING/TRIVIA/MOST_TEST_STUMPED.html Tests – Most Wickets Taken Stumped] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070129042806/http://usa.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/BOWLING/TRIVIA/MOST_TEST_STUMPED.html |date=29 January 2007 }}</ref> and caught & bowled (35) jointly with [[Anil Kumble]].<ref>''Cricinfo'', [http://usa.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/BOWLING/TRIVIA/MOST_TEST_CAUGHT_AND_BOWLED.html Tests – Most Wickets Taken Caught and Bowled] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070129043639/http://usa.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/BOWLING/TRIVIA/MOST_TEST_CAUGHT_AND_BOWLED.html |date=29 January 2007 }}</ref> Bowled by Muralitharan (b Muralitharan) is the most common dismissal in Test cricket (excluding [[run out]]).<ref name = "Most Bowled">{{cite news | url = http://www.cricinfo.com/columns/content/story/213170.html | title = Most ODIs before a Test, and double figures all in a row | publisher = ESPNcricinfo | last = Lynch | first = Steven | date = 11 July 2005 | access-date = 4 January 2007 | archive-date = 10 August 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100810143734/http://www.cricinfo.com/columns/content/story/213170.html | url-status = live }}</ref>
* Most successful bowler/fielder (non-wicket-keeper) combination – c. [[Mahela Jayawardene]] b. Muttiah Muralitharan (77).<ref>''Cricinfo'', [http://usa.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/BOWLING/TRIVIA/MOST_TEST_FIELDER_BOWLER.html Tests – Most Wickets by Same Fielder/Bowler Combination] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070124073028/http://usa.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/BOWLING/TRIVIA/MOST_TEST_FIELDER_BOWLER.html |date=24 January 2007 }}</ref> Most test wickets caught by a fielder(388).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283485.html |title=ESPNcricinfo – Most wickets taken caught by a fielder in tests |access-date=8 August 2014 |archive-date=22 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140622123139/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283485.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Most wickets taken caught(435)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283471.html |title=ESPNcricinfo – Most wickets taken caught in test matches |access-date=8 August 2014 |archive-date=11 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511063412/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283471.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Most Man of the Series awards in Test cricket (11).<ref>''Cricinfo'',[http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283469.html Tests – Most player-of-the-series awards] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071211052123/http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283469.html |date=11 December 2007 }}</ref>
* One of only six bowlers who have dismissed all the eleven batsmen in a Test match. [[Jim Laker]], [[Srinivasaraghavan Venkataraghavan]], [[Geoff Dymock]], [[Abdul Qadir (cricketer)|Abdul Qadir]] and [[Waqar Younis]] are the others.<ref>''Cricinfo'', [http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283523.html Dismissing all eleven batsmen in a match] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100420132507/http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283523.html |date=20 April 2010 }}</ref>
* Most Test wickets in a single ground. Muralitharan is the only bowler to capture 100-plus Test wickets at three venues, the [[Sinhalese Sports Club Ground]] in Colombo, the [[Asgiriya Stadium]] in Kandy and the [[Galle International Stadium]] in Galle.<ref>''Cricinfo'', [http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283233.html Most wickets on a single ground] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090928061908/http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283233.html |date=28 September 2009 }}</ref>
* The only bowler to take 75 or more wickets in a calendar year in test cricket on three occasions, achieving it in 2000, 2001 and 2006.<ref>''Cricinfo'', [http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/229904.html Most wickets in a calendar year] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130209203854/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/229904.html |date=9 February 2013 }}</ref>
* Most five wicket hauls in international career (77)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283825.html |title=ESPNcricinfo – Most fifers in international career |access-date=8 August 2014 |archive-date=22 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622131722/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283825.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Most [[duck (cricket)|ducks]] (dismissals for zero) ever in international cricket (across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is): 59 ducks total.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
* Most balls bowled in international cricket career (63132)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283772.html |title=ESPNcricinfo – Most balls bowled in international career |access-date=8 August 2014 |archive-date=7 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107180732/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283772.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* 6th in the list of taking the most test wickets in a home test season (62 wicket in 7 matches in 2001/02-Most by a Sri Lankan)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;template=results;type=bowling;view=season |title=ESPNcricinfo – Most wickets in home test season |access-date=8 August 2014 |archive-date=17 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317183416/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;template=results;type=bowling;view=season |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Most balls bowled by any bowler in test career (44039)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283775.html |title=ESPNcricinfo – Most balls bowled in test matches |access-date=8 August 2014 |archive-date=27 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227033804/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283775.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Holds the record for taking the most test wickets when playing at home soil (493)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;home_or_away=1;template=results;type=bowling|title=ESPNcricinfo – Most wickets taken in home test matches|access-date=14 August 2017|archive-date=14 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814110800/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;home_or_away=1;template=results;type=bowling|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Only bowler to take 100 or more wickets in a calendar year four times (1998, 2000, 2001 and 2006) across all formats (ODI, Test and T20I).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Records. Combined Test, ODI and T20I records. Bowling records. Most wickets in a calendar year |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283959.html |access-date=2022-07-20 |work=ESPNcricinfo |archive-date=20 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720081418/https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283959.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Highest number of wickets in a calendar year in Tests, ODIs and T20Is combined, with 136 wickets in 2001.<ref name=":0" /> (Muralitharan also holds second place for this record, with 128 wickets in 2006).

==Recognition==
In 2002, [[Wisden Cricketers' Almanack|Wisden]] carried out a statistical analysis of all Test matches in an effort to rate the greatest cricketers in history, and Muralitharan was ranked as the best Test bowler of all time.<ref name="bbc-12/13/02"/> However, two years earlier, Muralitharan was not named as one of the five [[Wisden Cricketers of the Century]]. Former Australian captain [[Steve Waugh]] called him "the [[Don Bradman]] of bowling".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://in.rediff.com/cricket/2004/mar/11murali.htm |title=Murali is Don Bradman of bowlers: Steve Waugh |work=Rediff.com |date=11 March 2004 |access-date=8 August 2014 |archive-date=22 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622035116/http://in.rediff.com/cricket/2004/mar/11murali.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Muralitharan was selected as the [[Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World]] in 2000 and in 2006.<ref name=Wisden2007>{{cite web |url=http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/287072.html |title=Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World 2006: Muttiah Muralitharan |author=Barnes, Simon, ''[[Wisden Cricketers' Almanack]]'' 2007 |date=28 March 2007 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=1 January 2008 |archive-date=11 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071111220351/http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/287072.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 15 November 2007, the Warne-Muralidaran Trophy was unveiled named after the two leading wicket-takers in Test cricket, Shane Warne and Muralitharan. The trophy displays images of the two spin bowlers' hands each holding a cricket ball. This trophy will be contested between Australia and Sri Lanka in all future Test series.<ref name="Warne-Murali Trophy">{{Cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/15/2091733.htm?section=sport |title=Warne-Muralidaran Trophy unveiled |publisher=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |date=15 November 2007 |access-date=28 December 2007 |archive-date=9 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100809190147/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/15/2091733.htm?section=sport |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On 3 December 2007, just hours after Muttiah Muralitharan became Test cricket's leading Test wicket-taker, [[Marylebone Cricket Club]] (MCC) announced it had unveiled a portrait of the Sri Lanka off-spinner at [[Lord's]].<ref name="MCC honour">{{cite press release|url=http://www.lords.org/latest-news/news-archive/record-holder-muralitharan-honoured-at-lords,969,NS.html |title=Record holder Muralitharan honoured at Lord's |publisher=[[Marylebone Cricket Club]] |date=3 December 2007 |access-date=28 December 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613072530/http://lords.org/latest-news/news-archive/record-holder-muralitharan-honoured-at-lords%2C969%2CNS.html |archive-date=13 June 2010 }}</ref> On the same day the Philatelic Bureau of the Department of Posts in Sri Lanka issued a circular stamp with a denomination of Rs. 5 to mark the world record set by Muttiah Muralitharan. The circular design was meant to denote the cricket ball.<ref>[http://sinhale.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/new-postal-stamp-to-mark-the-world-record-set-by-murali/ New Postal Stamp To Mark The World Record Set By Murali « Sinhale Hot News] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310221112/http://sinhale.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/new-postal-stamp-to-mark-the-world-record-set-by-murali/ |date=10 March 2012 }}</ref>

Australian musician Alston Koch provoked worldwide interest when he recorded the only official tribute song to Muralitharan. The song was even mentioned on the BBC's [[Test Match Special]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.worldmusiccentral.org/article.php/20071227150012690 |title=World Music Central – Worldwide interest in Alston Koch's Murali Song |access-date=12 February 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080213060211/http://worldmusiccentral.org/article.php/20071227150012690 |archive-date=13 February 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXsI_mmYc80 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616033437/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXsI_mmYc80&gl=US&hl=en&amp;has_verified=1| archive-date=2011-06-16 | url-status=dead|title=Alston Koch's Murali Song |via=YouTube |access-date=16 June 2008}}</ref> The Muralitharan Song video was also released after he broke the world record.

On 10 January 2008, the [[Parliament of Sri Lanka]] felicitated Muttiah Muralitharan for his world record breaking feat of being the highest wicket taker in Test cricket.<ref name="honoured in Sri Lanka's parliament">{{Cite news|date=10 January 2008 |title=Muralitharan honoured in Sri Lanka's parliament |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/007200801101723.htm?section=sport |work=The Hindu |location=Chennai, India |access-date=15 January 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117175949/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/007200801101723.htm?section=sport |archive-date=17 January 2012 }}</ref>
This was the first time that a sportsman had been honoured in the country's Supreme Legislature.<ref name="First sportsman honoured in Sri Lanka's Supreme Legislature">{{Cite news |date=10 January 2008 |title=A lesson from cricket |url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/01/12/main_Editorial.asp?section=Editorial |work=Daily News (Sri Lanka) |access-date=15 January 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212154214/http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/01/12/main_Editorial.asp?section=Editorial |archive-date=12 February 2009  }}</ref>

The Central Provincial Council in [[Kandy]] has renamed the [[Pallekele International Cricket Stadium|International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele]] after Muttiah Muralitharan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.islandcricket.lk/news/65160727/pallekele_stadium_be_named_after_muralitharan |title=Pallekele Stadium to be named after Muralitharan. Cricket |publisher=Islandcricket.lk |access-date=8 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100830152059/http://www.islandcricket.lk/news/65160727/pallekele_stadium_be_named_after_muralitharan |archive-date=30 August 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Controversy of bowling action==
Throughout much of his international career, Muralitharan's action was suspected of contravening the [[Laws of Cricket|laws of the game]] by [[Throwing (cricket)|the straightening of his bowling arm during delivery]]. Although he was cited three times, subsequent biomechanical testing led the ICC to clear him of the charge and permit him to continue bowling.

Biomechanical testing conducted on four occasions fueled debate as to whether his action was in fact illegal or actually an illusion created by his allegedly unique ability to generate extra movement both at the shoulder as well the wrist, which enables him to bowl the doosra without straightening the elbow.<ref name="Film Murali in armbrace with Shastri">{{Cite news |last=Hilal |date=14 December 2008 |title=Video1 – Murali bowling in arm-brace |url=http://www.islandcricket.lk/videos/murali-bowling-arm-brace |work=Island Cricket |access-date=14 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090217154316/http://www.islandcricket.lk/videos/murali-bowling-arm-brace |archive-date=17 February 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Murali bowling with brace">{{Cite news |last=Nicholas |first=Mark |date=8 July 2004 |title=Brace yourselves for new footage that may prove Murali's not bending the law |url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/07/07/1089000223490.html?from=storylhs |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=10 February 2008 |archive-date=23 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110923231539/http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/07/07/1089000223490.html?from=storylhs |url-status=live }}</ref>

===First throwing citation and testing===
[[File:Muttiah Muralitharan in SCG 2005.jpg|thumb|Muttiah Muralitharan bowling in SCG for ICC World&nbsp;XI]]
Initial concerns as to whether Muralitharan's action contravened the [[Laws of Cricket|laws of the game]] by [[Throwing (cricket)|straightening his bowling arm during delivery]] broke into open controversy after Australian [[umpire (cricket)|umpire]] [[Darrell Hair]] called a "[[no-ball]]" for an illegal action seven times during the [[Boxing Day]] Test match in [[Melbourne]], Australia, in 1995. Australian Sir [[Donald Bradman]], universally regarded as the greatest batsman in history, was later quoted as saying it was the "worst example of umpiring that [he had] witnessed, and against everything the game stands for. Clearly Murali does not throw the ball".<ref name="Bradman admirer">{{Cite news |last=Austin |first=Charlie |date=7 December 2004 |title=Bradman was an admirer of Murali |url=http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/135717.html |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=1 January 2008 |archive-date=24 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071224130839/http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/135717.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Bradman defence">{{Cite news |last=Sygall |first=David |date=5 December 2004 |title=Murali no chucker: Bradman |url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/12/04/1101923389044.html?oneclick=true |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=29 December 2007 |archive-date=10 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100810071230/http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/12/04/1101923389044.html?oneclick=true |url-status=live }}</ref>

Ten days later, on 5 January 1996, Sri Lanka played the West Indies in the seventh ODI of the triangular World Series competition, in Brisbane. Umpire [[Ross Emerson]] officiating in his debut international match, no-balled Muralitharan three times in his first over, twice in his second and twice in his third. It was an identical tally to that called by Hair on Boxing Day and (like Hair) Emerson made his calls from the bowler's end while his partner stood silent. The main difference was that several no-balls were for leg-breaks instead of the bowler's normal off-breaks.

In February 1996, just before the World Cup, Muralitharan underwent biomechanical analysis at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology under the supervision of Prof. Ravindra Goonetilleke, who declared his action legal in the conditions tested, citing a [[congenital defect]] in Muralitharan's arm which makes him incapable of fully straightening the arm but gives the appearance of fully straightening it. Although under the original Laws a bowler's arm did not have to be fully straightened to be an illegal delivery,<ref name="Hong Kong Report by Dr Goonetilleke">{{Cite news |last=Goonetilleke |first=Ravi |title=Biomechanical Tests done on Muttiah Muralitharan at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology |url=http://www-ieem.ust.hk/dfaculty/ravi/murali01.html |access-date=28 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080203131214/http://www-ieem.ust.hk/dfaculty/ravi/murali01.html |archive-date=3 February 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=IngentaConnect Technical Note – Legality of bowling actions in cricket |date=1 October 1999 |publisher=Ingentaconnect.com |doi=10.1080/001401399185027 |pmid=10582506 |last1=Goonetilleke |first1=R. S. |journal=Ergonomics |volume=42 |issue=10 |pages=1386–97 }}</ref> it was concluded that his action created the 'optical illusion of throwing'. Based on this evidence, ICC gave clearance to Muralitharan to continue bowling.<ref name="Profile ESPNcricinfo" />

===Second citation and testing===
Doubts about Muralitharan's action persisted, however. On the 1998–99 tour to Australia he was once again called for throwing by Ross Emerson during a One Day International against England at the [[Adelaide Oval]] in Australia. The Sri Lankan team almost abandoned the match, but after instructions from the President of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka, the game resumed.<ref name="Emerson Calls Murali and Ranatunga takes the team off">{{Cite news |last=Hilal |date=7 May 2007 |title=Ranatunga takes the team off |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PFsMqGfdqs&watch_response | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150606161450/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PFsMqGfdqs&watch_response| archive-date=2015-06-06 | url-status=dead|via=YouTube |access-date=15 March 2008}}</ref> The Sri Lankan captain at the time [[Arjuna Ranatunga]], was later fined and given a suspended ban from the game as a result.<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 April 1999 |title=''e-cyclopedia'': Chucking: Why the fuss? |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/special_report/1999/02/99/e-cyclopedia/263398.stm |publisher=BBC News |location=London |access-date=1 January 2008 |archive-date=28 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071228150506/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/special_report/1999/02/99/e-cyclopedia/263398.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> It later emerged that at the time of this match Emerson was on sick leave from his non-cricket job due to a stress-related illness and he stood down for the rest of the series.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cricinfo.com/columns/content/story/256472.html |title=ESPNcricinfo – Officious officialdom |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=8 August 2014 |archive-date=15 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100815084415/http://www.cricinfo.com/columns/content/story/256472.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Muralitharan was sent for further tests in Perth and England and was cleared again.<ref name="Profile ESPNcricinfo" /> At no stage was Muralitharan requested to change or remodel his action, by the ICC. Up to this point in his career (1999) Muralitharan primarily bowled two types of deliveries, namely the [[off-break]] and the [[topspinner]]. He had not yet mastered the doosra.

===Third citation and testing===
Muralitharan continued bowling, taking his 500th Test wicket in the second Test against Australia in Kandy on {{Nowrap|16 March}} 2004. At the end of the series his [[doosra]] delivery was officially called into question by match referee [[Chris Broad (cricketer)|Chris Broad]]. At the [[University of Western Australia]] (Department of Human Movement and Exercise Science), three-dimensional kinematic measurements of Muttiah Muralitharan's bowling arm were taken using an optical motion capture system while he bowled his doosra. Muralitharan's mean elbow extension angle for the doosra delivery was 14°, which was subsequently reduced to a mean of 10.2° after remedial training at the university. The findings reported to ICC by the [[University of Western Australia]]'s study<ref name="The Murali Report">{{cite report | author=Elliott, B., Alderson, J., Reid, S. and Foster, D. | title = The Murali Report, Biomechanics Laboratory, School of Human Movement and Exercise Science, The University of Western Australia | publisher=University of Western Australia | year = 2004}}</ref> was that Muralitharan's doosra contravened the established ICC elbow extension limit of 5° for spinners.<ref name="ICC's high-tech solution too late for Murali">{{Cite news|last=Pierik|first=Jon|date=14 November 2007|title=IICC's high-tech solution too late for Murali|work=The Daily Telegraph|url=http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22754759-5006069,00.html|access-date=9 March 2008|archive-date=30 December 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121230200859/http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/cricket/iccs-new-bowling-test/story-e6frey50-1111114870167|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="The Hindu 2004-04-29">{{Cite news |date=29 April 2004 |title=Murali's 'doosra' doesn't conform to ICC stipulation but should be allowed: UWA report |url=http://www.hindu.com/2004/04/29/stories/2004042905562200.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040702170502/http://www.hindu.com/2004/04/29/stories/2004042905562200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 July 2004 |location=Chennai, India |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=1 January 2008 }}</ref><ref name="Rediff Murali report">{{Cite news |date=15 May 2004 |title=The Rediff Special: The Murali Report |url=http://www.rediff.com/cricket/2004/may/15murali.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=15 December 2007 |archive-date=28 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100828152907/http://www.rediff.com/cricket/2004/may/15murali.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Under the original throwing Laws of Cricket, the umpires officiating were under an obligation to call "no-ball" to a delivery that they were not entirely happy was absolutely fair. This Law gave the umpires absolutely no discretion. In 2000, the Laws were changed to put an allowable figure of straightening of 5° for spinners, 7.5° for medium pacers and 10° for fast bowlers in an attempt to more clearly define what was legal.<ref>[http://www.coachesinfo.com/category/cricket/351/] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927185540/http://www.coachesinfo.com/category/cricket/351/|date=27 September 2007}}</ref> But these figures proved difficult to enforce due to umpires being unable to discern actual amounts of straightening and the differentiation between the three different allowable figures. Testing in Test match conditions is not currently possible "when the identification of elbow and shoulder joint centres in on-field data collection, where a shirt is worn, also involves large errors. In a match the ability to differentiate anatomical movements such as 'elbow extension' by digitising segment end-points, particularly if you have segment rotations, is extremely difficult and prone to error.<ref name="Special Report on the Controversial doosra">{{cite report|title=Special Report on the Controversial doosra bowling action based on UniSA scientific study: As per the invitation made by David Richardson, General Manager, ICC|author1=[[Mahinda Pathegama Pathegama]], M.|author2=Göl, Ö|publisher=EIE, University of South Australia|year=2004}}</ref> This is certainly the case with spin bowlers. It is therefore not surprising that laboratory testing is preferred, particularly for spin bowlers, where an appropriate pitch length and run-up can be structured. This is clearly the only way to test players, where data would be able to withstand scientific and therefore legal scrutiny."<ref name="Rediff Murali report"/>

An extensive ICC study, the results of which were released in November 2004, was conducted to investigate the "chucking issue". A laboratory kinematic analysis of 42 non-Test playing bowlers done by Ferdinands and Kersting (2004) established that the 5° limit for slow and spin bowlers was particularly impractical.<ref name="Ferdinands, Kersting bowling action research">{{Cite journal|title=An evaluation of biomechanical measures of bowling action legality in cricket |journal=Sports Biomechanics |volume=6 |issue=3 |date=September 2007 |pages=315–333 |doi=10.1080/14763140701489884 |pmid=17933195 |last1=Ferdinands |first1=R. E. |last2=Kersting |first2=U. G. |s2cid=40042760 }}</ref>

Due to the overwhelming scientific findings, researchers recommended that a flat rate of 15° tolerable elbow extension be used to define a preliminary demarcation point between bowling and throwing. A panel of former Test players consisting of [[Aravinda de Silva]], [[Angus Fraser]], [[Michael Holding]], [[Tony Lewis]], [[Tim May]] and the ICC's [[Dave Richardson (South African cricketer)|Dave Richardson]], with the assistance of several biomechanical experts, stated that 99% of all bowlers in the history of cricket straighten their arms when bowling.<ref name="ICC study">{{cite web |url=http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/141558.html |title=ICC study reveals that 99% of bowlers throw |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |date=10 November 2004 |access-date=20 December 2006 |archive-date=14 February 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070214110807/http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/141558.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Only one player tested (part-time bowler [[Ramnaresh Sarwan]]) reportedly did not transgress the pre 2000 rules.<ref name="ICC study" /> Many of these reports have controversially not been published and as such, the 99% figure stated has yet to be proved. In fact, Muralitharan stirred up controversy when he said during an interview with a Melbourne radio station that [[Jason Gillespie]], [[Glenn McGrath]] and [[Brett Lee]] flexed their arms by 12, 13 and 14–15 degrees respectively, although it is unclear as to where Muralitharan quoted these figures from. Muralitharan was censured by the Sri Lankan Cricket Board for these comments.<ref>{{Cite news|date=18 November 2004 |title=Muralitharan censured over throwing remarks |url=http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/200411/s1246049.htm |publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC Sport (Australia)]] |agency=Reuters |access-date=31 January 2008 }}{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

The ICC Executive was asked to ratify the panel's recommendations at the ICC's Annual General Meeting in February 2005. Based on the recommendations the ICC issued a new guideline (which was effective from {{Nowrap|1 March}} 2005) allowing for extensions or hyperextensions of up to 15 degrees for all types of bowlers, thus deeming Muralitharan's doosra to be legal.<ref name="ICC Revision of bowling regulation">{{Cite news|date=5 February 2005|title=ICC relaxes bowling regulations|work=BBC Sport Cricket|location=London|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/4238403.stm|access-date=10 February 2008|archive-date=19 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419083723/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/4238403.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="What is an illegal action?">{{Cite news |date=17 November 2005 |title=What is an illegal action? |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/rules_and_equipment/4404874.stm |work=BBC Sport Cricket |location=London |access-date=9 February 2008 |archive-date=24 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101224161920/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/rules_and_equipment/4404874.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Explaining why the maximum level of 15 degrees was arrived at, panel member [[Angus Fraser]] stated "That is the number which [[Sports Biomechanics|biomechanics]] says that it (straightening) becomes visible. It is difficult for the naked eye to see less than 15 degrees in a bowler's action. We found when the biceps reached the shoulder the amount of bend was around 165 degrees. Very few bowlers can get to 180 degrees because the joint doesn't allow that.&nbsp;... but once you go further than 15 degrees you get into an area which is starting to give you an unfair advantage and you are breaking the law".<ref name="What is an illegal action?" />

===University of South Australia study===
<!-- This section needs to be improved. The focus should be on the implications of this research on Muralitharan and his bowling. From the current wording it is unclear what the results and the conclusions are-->
The original decision of disallowing the doosra bowling action was hailed widely as justifiable on account of being scientifically based. Hence, a team of Australian scientists<ref name="anthropometric assessment">{{cite report|title=Use of imprecise biomedical image analysis and anthropometric assessment in biomechanics with particular reference to competitive cricket|author=Pathegama, M., Göl, Ö, Mazumdar, J., Winefield, T. and Jain, L|publisher=[[University of South Australia]]|year=2003–2004}}</ref> representing the [[University of South Australia]] conducted an independent research, in line with modern [[Artificial Intelligence]] and [[Sports Biomechanics|biomechanics]] to solve the controversial issue arise from doosra. The [[University of South Australia]]'s study, founded by Prof. [[Mahinda Pathegama]], and contributed by Prof. Ozdemir Gol, Prof. J. Mazumdar, Prof. Tony Worsley and Prof. Lakmi Jain has analyzed the previous studies with close scrutiny since the techniques in their fields of expertise are employed in the course of assessment as the basis for decision-making. The findings based on this scientific study are overwhelming<ref name="anthropometric assessment" /> and [[Dave Richardson (South African cricketer)|Dave Richardson]], general manager ICC stated that "the ICC is currently reviewing the Law on throwing and the ICC regulations and the study done by Prof. Mahinda Pathegama with UniSA scientists<ref name="Special Report on the Controversial doosra" /> is a valuable source of information in this regard."<ref name="KES News">{{Cite news |date=12 August 2008 |title=ICC Acknowledgement for UniSA researchers |url=http://www.unisa.edu.au/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970122094101/http://www.unisa.edu.au/ |url-status=live |archive-date=22 January 1997 |publisher=[[University of South Australia]] |access-date=14 August 2008 }}</ref> The team of Australian scientists including Sri Lankan-born Australian scientist, Prof. Mahinda Pathegama<ref name="anthropometric assessment" /> reporting their findings, in line with the Muralitharan test to ICC, has analyzed in-depth various issues, such as Pitfalls in image interpretation when using 2D images for 3D modeling associates compared to the modern techniques in [[Artificial Intelligence]] and [[Sports Biomechanics|biomechanics]], and [[Sports Biomechanics|Biomechanics]] assessment for doosra bowling action, etc. Pathegama at al. (2004) further reports on the Disagreement of expression on measurement accuracy in the Murali Report, with the analysis of the Motion tracking system used for the Murali Report, and discussing [[Cognitive]] aspects, Evidence of errors in Anthropometric assessment and movement tracking, Lateral inhibition in response tracking, Psycho-physiological aspect on post-assessments, Angular measurement errors, Skin marker induced errors, Geometrics-and physics-based 3D modeling and the Approach to on-field assessment, etc.

The Muralitharan Report produced by the University of Western Australia's study has considered the Richards study<ref name="Richards">{{Cite journal| doi= 10.1016/S0167-9457(99)00023-8 | author=Richards, J. | title= The measurement of human motion. A comparison of commercially available systems | journal=Human Movement Science | year= 1999 | volume=18| issue= 5 | pages=589–602| citeseerx=10.1.1.466.3706 }}</ref> done in 1999 to evaluate the error margin. [[University of South Australia]]'s study done by Prof. Mahinda Pathegama<ref name="anthropometric assessment" /> argued that the Richards study which was presented by the University of Western Australia's study has used a rigid aluminium bar that only rotated in the horizontal plane to introduce such error margin. Pathegama's report<ref name="Special Report on the Controversial doosra" /> stated that "in view of the system used in the test itself yielding considerable error even with a rigid aluminum bar (an ''accuracy level of approximately 4 degrees'' as stated in the Murali Report), it stands to reason that the error margin would be considerably larger when tracking skin markers on a spin bowler's moving upper limb by this same system". Sri Lankan born Australian medical doctor [[Siri Kannangara]] who also then served as the director of the New South Wales Institute of Sports Medicine, was also present at the forefront in analyzing Muttiah Muralitharan's bowling action as part of the University of South Australia case study to determine whether Muralitharan's bowling action was genuinely legitimate or if he was chucking the ball in his bowling runup when delivering the ball in his follow-through at the international level.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Medical experts' views on Murali's action (27 January 1999) |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/medical-experts-views-on-murali-s-action-27-january-1999-80341 |access-date=2024-06-09 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}}</ref>

Vincent Barnes in an interview argues<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/current/story/404772.html |title=Life after the doosra |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=8 August 2014 |archive-date=15 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090815061104/http://www.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/current/story/404772.html |url-status=live }}</ref> that Bruce Elliott, the UWA professor who is also the ICC biomechanist, had made an interesting discovery in his dealings with finger spinners. "He said he had found that a lot of bowlers from the subcontinent could bowl the doosra legally, but not Caucasian bowlers."

===Fourth round of testing===
On 2 February 2006, Muralitharan underwent a fourth round of biomechanical testing at the University of Western Australia. There had been criticism that the previous round of tests in July 2004 did not replicate match conditions due to a slower bowling speed in the laboratory tests. The results showed that the average elbow extension while bowling the 'doosra' delivery was 12.2 degrees, at an average of {{convert|53.75|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. The average for his off-break was 12.9 degrees at {{convert|59.03|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Murali cleared by yet more tests">{{Cite news |date=4 February 2006 |title=Murali cleared by yet more tests |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/4680246.stm |work=BBC Sport Cricket |location=London |access-date=30 March 2008 |archive-date=7 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071207010208/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/4680246.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Bowling with an arm brace===
In July 2004 Muralitharan was filmed in England, bowling with an arm brace on. The film was shown on Britain's [[Channel 4]] during the Test against England on {{Nowrap|22 July}} 2004.

Initially, Muralitharan bowled three balls – the off-spinner, the top-spinner and the doosra – as he would in a match. Then he bowled the same three balls with a brace that is made from steel bars, which are set into strong resin. This brace has been moulded to his right arm, is approximately 46 centimetres long and weighs just under 1 kilogram.

TV presenter [[Mark Nicholas]] who tried the brace himself, confirmed that "There is no way an arm can be bent, or flexed, when it is in this brace." All three balls reacted in the same way as when bowled without the brace. They were not bowled quite so fast because the weight of the brace restricts the speed of Muralitharan's shoulder rotation, but the spin was still there.

With the brace on, there still appeared to be a jerk in his action. When studying the film at varying speeds, it still appeared as if he straightened his arm, even though the brace makes it impossible to do so. His unique shoulder rotation and amazing wrist action seem to create the illusion that he straightens his arm.<ref name="Murali bowling with brace"/>

The off-spinner said the exercise was to convince a sceptical public rather than sway an ICC investigation into bowling actions launched after he was reported by match referee [[Chris Broad (cricketer)|Chris Broad]] for his doosra delivery in March 2004, the third time action was taken on his bowling. In an interview for August 2004 edition of [[Wisden Asia Cricket]], Muralitharan stated "I think it will prove a point to those who had said that it was physically impossible to bowl a ball that turned the other way. I proved that it was possible to bowl the doosra without bending the arm."<ref name="Film clears my bowling action:">{{Cite news |last=Paxinos |first=Stathi |date=1 August 2004 |title=Film clears my bowling action: Murali |url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/07/31/1091080491359.html?from=storylhs |work=The Age |location=Melbourne, Australia |access-date=12 February 2008 |archive-date=5 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105194656/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/07/31/1091080491359.html?from=storylhs |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2004 at the [[R Premadasa Stadium]] in Colombo, Muralitharan voluntarily performed a series of tests with live video cameras. [[Michael Slater]] and [[Ravi Shastri]] witnessed it all unfold. Muralitharan once again showed he could bowl all his deliveries including the doosra with an arm brace that prevents any straightening of his elbow. Orthopediatrician Dr Mandeep Dillon stated that Muralitharan's unusual ability to generate extra movement both at the shoulder as well the wrist enables him to bowl the doosra without straightening the elbow.<ref name="Film Murali in armbrace with Shastri"/>

===Critics and converts===
Two vocal critics of Muralitharan's action have been former test cricketers, Australian [[Dean Jones (cricketer)|Dean Jones]] and [[Bishan Bedi]], the former Indian captain. Dean Jones later admitted<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrFK4uS6VPc | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904004226/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrFK4uS6VPc&feature=player_embedded| archive-date=2015-09-04 | url-status=dead|title=YouTube |via=YouTube |access-date=8 August 2014}}</ref> to being wrong in his assessment of Murali when he witnessed first hand Murali bowling with an arm-brace on.

[[Michael Holding]], the former West Indian fast bowler was also a critic of Muralitharan, but withdrew his criticisms under the light of the tests carried out. Holding had been quoted<ref name="Holding 100%">{{Cite news |date=8 March 2002 |title=After Bedi, Holding doubts Murali's action |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020309/sports.htm#5 |agency=Reuters |work=The Tribune (Chandigarh, India) |access-date=15 January 2008 |archive-date=17 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071117034455/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020309/sports.htm#5 |url-status=live }}</ref> as being in "110% agreement" with Bedi, who likened Murali's action to a "javelin throw"<ref>{{Cite news |date=7 June 2004 |title=Murali threatens to sue Bedi |url=http://www.cricinfo.com/india/content/story/139300.html |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=15 January 2008 |archive-date=10 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100810114605/http://www.cricinfo.com/india/content/story/139300.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and more recently, compared to a "shot putter".<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 August 2007 |title=Murali considers legal action after Bedi jibe |url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/srilanka/content/current/story/306935.html |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=15 January 2008 |archive-date=29 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071229153759/http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/srilanka/content/current/story/306935.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Following the ICC study, as a member of the panel that conducted the study, Holding stated, "The scientific evidence is overwhelming&nbsp;... When bowlers who to the naked eye look to have pure actions are thoroughly analysed with the sophisticated technology now in place, they are likely to be shown as straightening their arm by 11 and in some cases 12 degrees. Under a strict interpretation of the Law, these players are breaking the rules. The game needs to deal with this reality and make its judgment as to how it accommodates this fact."<ref>[http://cricket-online.org/news.php?sid=4327 Cricket-Online: Murali's doosra given green light<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041113043836/http://cricket-online.org/news.php?sid=4327 |date=13 November 2004 }}</ref>

In May 2002, [[Adam Gilchrist]], speaking at a Carlton (Australian) Football Club luncheon, claimed Muralitharan's action does not comply with the laws of cricket. The Melbourne-based Age newspaper quoted Gilchrist as saying."Yeah, I think he does (chuck), and I say that because, if you read the laws of the game, there's no doubt in my mind that he and many others, throughout cricket history have."<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 April 2007 |title=Gilchrist queries Murali's action |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/2009427.stm |work=BBC Sport |location=London |access-date=27 February 2008 |archive-date=19 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419085106/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/2009427.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> These comments were made before the doosra controversy, in spite of Muralitharan's action having been cleared by ICC in both 1996 and 1999. For his comment Gilchrist was reprimanded by the [[Australian Cricket Board]] (ACB) and found guilty of being in breach of ACB rules concerned with "detrimental public comment".<ref>{{cite news
| url = http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/120116.html
| title = Adam Gilchrist reprimanded by ACB Code of Behaviour Commission
| author = ACB
| publisher = ESPNcricinfo
| access-date = 29 February 2008
| date = 30 May 2002
| archive-date = 17 October 2007
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071017174953/http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/120116.html
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

During the 2006 tour of New Zealand another Muralitharan critic, former New Zealand captain and cricket commentator [[Martin Crowe]], called for Muralitharan's doosra to be monitored more closely, asserting that his action seemed to deteriorate during a match.<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 December 2006 |title=Crowe calls for Murali action review |url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/srilanka/content/story/273536.html |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=15 January 2008 |archive-date=8 July 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708032030/http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/srilanka/content/story/273536.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Earlier that year when delivering the Cowdrey lecture at Lords [[Martin Crowe]] had demanded zero tolerance instead of 15 degrees for throwing and specifically branded Muttiah Muralitharan a chucker.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Selvey |first=Mike |date=13 July 2006 |title=Crowe flies off course to tamper with the spirit of the game |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/jul/13/cricket.comment |work=Independent |location=London |access-date=1 March 2008 |archive-date=16 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516121238/http://sport.guardian.co.uk/cricket/comment/0,,1819091,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Brenkley |first=Stephen |date=16 July 2006 |title=Crowe derides ICC's bent arm of the law |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket/crowe-derides-icc-s-bent-arm-of-the-law-6095295.html |work=The Independent |access-date=19 March 2024 |archive-date=19 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240319121735/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket/crowe-derides-icc-s-bent-arm-of-the-law-6095295.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In response to Crowe's criticism ICC general manager [[Dave Richardson (South African cricketer)|Dave Richardson]] stated that the scientific evidence presented by biomechanists Professor Bruce Elliot, Dr Paul Hurrion and Mr Marc Portuswith was overwhelming and clarified that "Some bowlers, even those not suspected of having flawed actions, were found likely to be straightening their arms by 11 or 12 degrees. And at the same time, some bowlers that may appear to be throwing may be hyper-extending or bowl with permanently bent elbows. Under a strict interpretation of the law, they were breaking the rules – but if we ruled out every bowler that did that then there would be no bowlers left."<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 July 2006 |title=ICC defends 'chucking' procedures |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/solpda/ukfs_sport/hi/newsid_5177000/5177750.stm |work=BBC Sport |access-date=1 March 2008 |archive-date=23 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080923220645/http://news.bbc.co.uk/solpda/ukfs_sport/hi/newsid_5177000/5177750.stm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Scientific research on bowling actions==
Since 1999 there has been a number of scientific research publications discussing Muralitharan's bowling action as well the need for defining the legality of a bowling action using biomechanical concepts. This research directly contributed towards the official acceptance of Muralitharan's bowling action and convinced the ICC to redefine the bowling laws in cricket.

The key publications are listed below:
* Elliot, B.C., Alderson, J., Reid, S. and Foster, D. (2004). Bowling Report of Muttiah Muralitharan.<ref>[http://hrd.rediff.com/cricket/2004/may/15murali.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080305234429/http://hrd.rediff.com/cricket/2004/may/15murali.htm|date=5 March 2008}}</ref>
* Ferdinands, R.E.D. (2004). Three-dimensional biomechanical analysis of bowling in cricket. PhD Thesis, University of Waikato.
* Ferdinands, R.E.D. and Kersting, U.G. (2004). Elbow Angle Extension and implication for the legality of the bowling action in Cricket. In A McIntosh (Ed.), Proceedings of Australasian Biomechanic Conference 5 ({{Nowrap|9 December}} – 10), University of New South Wales, Sydney, pp.&nbsp;26–27.
* Ferdinands, R.E.D. and Kersting, U.G. (2007). An evaluation of biomechanical measures of bowling action legality in cricket. [[Sports Biomechanics]], Volume 6, Issue {{Nowrap|3 September}} 2007, pages 315–333
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170202001053/https://www.ielm.ust.hk/dfaculty/ravi/murali01.html Goonetilleke, R.S.] (1999). Legality of bowling actions in cricket. Ergonomics, 42 (10), 1386–1397.
* Lloyd, D. G., Alderson, J. and Elliot, B.C. (2000). An upper limb kinematic for the examination of cricket bowling: A case study of Muttiah Muralitharan. Journal of Sports Sciences, 18, 975–982.
* Marshall, R. and Ferdinands R. (2003). The effect of a flexed elbow on bowling speed in cricket. [[Sports Biomechanics]], 2(1), 65–71.
* [[Mahinda Pathegama|Pathegama, M.]], Göl, Ö, Mazumdar, J., Winefield, T. and Jain, L (2003) 'Use of imprecise biomedical image analysis and anthropometric assessment in [[Sports Biomechanics|biomechanics]] with particular reference to competitive cricket', UniSA Scientific Study, SEIE, [[University of South Australia]], Australia.
* [[Mahinda Pathegama|Pathegama, M.]] and Göl, Ö (2004) 'Special Report on the Controversial doosra bowling action based on UniSA scientific study: As per the invitation made by David Richardson, general manager, ICC), EIE, [[University of South Australia]], Australia.
* Portus, M., Mason, B., Rath, D. and Rosemond, C. (2003). Fast bowling arm actions and the illegal delivery law in men's high performance cricket matches. Science and Medicine in Cricket. R. Stretch, T. Noakes and C. Vauhan (Eds.), Com Press, Ports Elizabeth, South Africa, pp.&nbsp;41–54.

==Philanthropy==
Muralitharan, along with his manager Kushil Gunasekara, established the charitable organisation Foundation of Goodness in the early 2000s.<ref>{{Cite news |title= The Foundation of Goodness website |url= http://www.unconditionalcompassion.com/sub/ManagementChart.asp |access-date= 23 January 2008 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080131212652/http://www.unconditionalcompassion.com/sub/ManagementChart.asp |archive-date= 31 January 2008 |df= dmy-all }}</ref> The organisation is committed to the wellbeing of the [[Seenigama]] region (in southern Sri Lanka) and supports local communities through a range of projects across areas including children's needs, education and training, health care and psycho-social support, housing, livelihoods, sport and the environment. Murali's Seenigama project raised funds from cricketers and administrators in England and Australia. Canadian pop-star [[Bryan Adams]] donated a swimming pool.<ref name="Mankulam Project">{{cite web|url=http://development.lk/news.php?news=1192|title=Murali Initiates Projects to Build Mankulam|publisher=Media Center for National Center of Development of Sri Lanka|date=30 March 2011|access-date=3 April 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814134517/http://development.lk/news.php?news=1192|archive-date=14 August 2011}}</ref>

Muralitharan also planned to build a second sports complex for war-displaced civilians in [[Mankulam (Sri Lanka)|Mankulam]], a town located 300 kilometres from north of Colombo. The two-year, $1 million dollar project aimed to build a sports centre, a school, English and IT training centres and an Elders' home.<ref name="Mankulam Project"/> While the Sports Complex remains the main project, Foundation of Goodness also plans to help educate children, youth and adults. English cricketer Sir [[Ian Botham]] visited Mankulam with Muralitharan, and later addressing the media in Colombo on 27 March 2011 said that he will consider a walk from [[Point Pedro]] (the extreme northern tip of Sri Lanka) to [[Dondra Head]] (the extreme southern tip of Sri Lanka) to raise funds for the project.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cricketique.wordpress.com/2011/03/29/botham-considers-a-north-south-walk-across-lanka-for-charity-and-reconciliation/|title=Botham considers a north-south walk across Lanka for charity and reconciliation|author=Rex Clementine|publisher=The Island|date=29 March 2011|access-date=3 April 2011|archive-date=14 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814021632/http://cricketique.wordpress.com/2011/03/29/botham-considers-a-north-south-walk-across-lanka-for-charity-and-reconciliation/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In June 2004, Muralitharan also joined the United Nations [[World Food Programme]] as an ambassador to fight hunger among school children.<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 June 2004 |title=Murali an ambassador for United Nations |url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ausvsl/content/story/139558.html |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=22 January 2008 |archive-date=7 July 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707053004/http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ausvsl/content/story/139558.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

When the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake]] devastated Sri Lanka on {{Nowrap|26 December}} 2004, Muralitharan contributed to the relief programs.<ref name="Cricket relief">{{Cite news |date=3 January 2005 |title=Cricketers help relief programme |url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/144986.html |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=22 December 2007 |archive-date=19 January 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130119213451/http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/144986.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He himself narrowly escaped death,<ref name="Tsunami escape">{{Cite news |date=28 December 2004 |title=Malinga and Fernando affected by tsunami |url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/136260.html |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=22 December 2007 |archive-date=21 January 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130121094552/http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/136260.html |url-status=live }}</ref> arriving 20 minutes late at Seenigama, where he was to give away prizes at one of the charity projects he worked on. While international agencies were bringing food in by air, Muralitharan paid for and organised three convoys of ten trucks each to get assist in the distribution.<ref name="Murali relief">{{Cite news |last=Austin |first=Charlie |date=5 January 2005 |title=Murali leads from the front |url=http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/srilanka/content/story/145035.html |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=22 December 2007 |archive-date=20 January 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130120011750/http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/srilanka/content/story/145035.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He persuaded those who could to donate clothes, and supervised the delivery himself.

During the rehabilitation efforts in the tsunami's aftermath, cement was in short supply. Muralitharan promptly signed an endorsement deal with Lafarge, a global cement giant, that was a straight barter, where cement would be supplied to the Foundation for Goodness in exchange for work Muralitharan did. During the first three years since the tsunami, the foundation raised more than US$ {{Nowrap|4 million}} to help survivors, and has built homes, schools, sports facilities and computer centres.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vasu |first=Anand |date=22 December 2007 |title=The Nice Kandyman |url=http://www.tehelka.com/story_main36.asp?filename=Ne221207Nice_kandyman.asp |publisher=tehelka |access-date=23 January 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120912034124/http://www.tehelka.com/story_main36.asp?filename=Ne221207Nice_kandyman.asp |archive-date=12 September 2012 }}</ref>

==Other work==
On 1 August 2015, Muralitharan and fellow Sri Lankan cricketer [[Tillakaratne Dilshan]] were appointed by [[President of Sri Lanka]] [[Maithripala Sirisena]] as the Brand Ambassadors for the Presidential Task Force to combat kidney disease.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.slbc.lk/index.php/en/tamil-news-update/1408-muttiah-muralitharan-and-t-m-dilshan-named-as-brand-ambassadors-for-the-presidential-task-force-to-combat-kidney-disease.html |title=Muttiah Muralitharan and T.M.Dilshan named as Brand Ambassadors for the Presidential Task Force to combat kidney disease |access-date=2 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821005917/http://www.slbc.lk/index.php/en/tamil-news-update/1408-muttiah-muralitharan-and-t-m-dilshan-named-as-brand-ambassadors-for-the-presidential-task-force-to-combat-kidney-disease.html |archive-date=21 August 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Murali and Dilshan appointed as Brand Ambassadors|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/caption_story/murali-and-dilshan-appointed-as-brand-ambassadors/110-81821|website=www.dailymirror.lk|language=en|access-date=2020-05-24|archive-date=8 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808010451/http://www.dailymirror.lk/caption_story/murali-and-dilshan-appointed-as-brand-ambassadors/110-81821|url-status=live}}</ref>

==In popular culture==
In July 2019, it was announced that a biopic would be made in Tamil titled ''800'' with actor [[Vijay Sethupathi]] portraying Muralitharan.<ref>{{cite web |title=800 will not hurt the sentiments of Eelam Tamils, say producers |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/800-will-not-hurt-the-sentiments-of-eelam-tamils-say-producers/article32857455.ece |website=[[The Hindu]] |language=en-IN |date=15 October 2020 |access-date=12 November 2020 |archive-date=21 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021095131/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/800-will-not-hurt-the-sentiments-of-eelam-tamils-say-producers/article32857455.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> The film was set to be produced by actor [[Rana Daggubati]] under his banner [[Suresh Productions]] with MS Sripathy director.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Ramachandran|first1=Naman|date=2020-10-14|title=Cricket Biopic '800' Scores Vijay Sethupathi as Sri Lanka Icon Muttiah Muralitharan|url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/cricket-biopic-800-vijay-sethupathi-as-sri-lanka-icon-muttiah-muralitharan-1234802268/|access-date=13 July 2021|website=Variety|language=en|archive-date=24 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024042443/https://variety.com/2020/film/news/cricket-biopic-800-vijay-sethupathi-as-sri-lanka-icon-muttiah-muralitharan-1234802268/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=13 July 2021|title=Rana Daggubati to produce Muttiah Muralitharan biopic|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/off-the-field/rana-daggubati-to-produce-muttiah-muralitharan-biopic/articleshow/70445794.cms|work=The Times of India|access-date=13 July 2021|archive-date=18 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418065327/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/off-the-field/rana-daggubati-to-produce-muttiah-muralitharan-biopic/articleshow/70445794.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> However the filming was put on hold due to various reasons such as political opposition. On 8 October 2020, the filmmakers announced that the biopic film tentatively titled as ''800'' would be proceeded as planned and also revealed that first look poster of the film would be released sooner along with the details of cast and crew members.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-08|title=Muttiah Muralitharan - From being no-balled in 1995 to the greatest bowler of all times and now a biopic|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/cricket/report-muttiah-muralitharan-from-being-no-balled-in-1995-to-the-greatest-bowler-of-all-times-and-now-a-biopic-2848327|access-date=13 July 2021|website=DNA India|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-08|title=Confirmed – Vijay Sethupathi to play Muttiah Muralitharan in soon-to-be-released biopic|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-vijay-sethupathi-to-play-muttiah-muralitharan-in-soon-to-be-released-biopic-2848300|access-date=13 July 2021|website=DNA India|language=en|archive-date=11 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011123431/https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-vijay-sethupathi-to-play-muttiah-muralitharan-in-soon-to-be-released-biopic-2848300|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|author=Janani K.|date=8 October 2020|title=Vijay Sethupathi's Muthiah Muralidaran biopic announced, makers promise new updates soon|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/vijay-sethupathi-s-muthiah-muralidaran-biopic-announced-makers-promise-new-updates-soon-1729540-2020-10-08|access-date=13 July 2021|magazine=India Today|language=en|archive-date=27 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927012754/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/vijay-sethupathi-s-muthiah-muralidaran-biopic-announced-makers-promise-new-updates-soon-1729540-2020-10-08|url-status=live}}</ref>

Sethupathi received widespread criticism and backlash in the social media for portraying the role of Muttiah Muralitharan in the biopic flick.<ref>{{Cite magazine|author=Janani K.|date=14 October 2020|title=#ShameOnVijaySethupathi trends on Twitter after Muttiah Muralitharan biopic 800 announcement|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/-shameonvijaysethupathi-trends-on-twitter-after-muttiah-muralitharan-biopic-announcement-1731408-2020-10-14|access-date=13 July 2021|magazine=India Today|language=en|archive-date=23 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023032423/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/-shameonvijaysethupathi-trends-on-twitter-after-muttiah-muralitharan-biopic-announcement-1731408-2020-10-14|url-status=live}}</ref> Netizens also claimed that Muralitharan himself is a pro [[Mahinda Rajapaksa|Rajapaksa]] supporter and requested Sethupathi to leave the filming. In addition, politicians from Tamil Nadu also cautioned that a Tamil actor shouldn't play the role of a Sri Lankan recalling the claims of genocide massacre of over 200,000 Sri Lankan Tamils during the final stage of the [[Sri Lankan civil war|Sri Lankan Civil War]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-14|title=Fans trend #ShameonVijaySethupathi; Tamil star also gets backing amid backlash over Muttiah Muralitharan biopic '800'|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-fans-trend-shameonvijaysethupathi-tamil-star-also-gets-backing-amid-backlash-over-muttiah-muralitharan-biopic-800-2849691|access-date=13 July 2021|website=DNA India|language=en|archive-date=29 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029215040/https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-fans-trend-shameonvijaysethupathi-tamil-star-also-gets-backing-amid-backlash-over-muttiah-muralitharan-biopic-800-2849691|url-status=live}}</ref> Dravidian outfit in Coimbaitore also urged Vijay Sethupathi to drop out from the project insisting that Muralitharan supported Sinhalese during the [[Sri Lankan civil war|Sri Lankan Civil War]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=11 October 2020|first=Vishnu|last=Swaroop|title=Coimbatore: Dravidian outfit urges Vijay Sethupathi to give up Muttiah Muralitharan biopic|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/coimbatore-dravidian-outfit-urges-vijay-sethupathi-to-give-up-muttiah-muralitharan-biopic/articleshow/78601828.cms|access-date=13 July 2021|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=3 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103010755/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/coimbatore-dravidian-outfit-urges-vijay-sethupathi-to-give-up-muttiah-muralitharan-biopic/articleshow/78601828.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> #Shame on Vijay Sethupathi hashtag was trending on the social media on 13 October 2020 soon after the motion poster release of the film which was released via [[Star Sports (Indian TV network)|Star Sports]] prior to the group stage match between [[Chennai Super Kings]] and [[Sunrisers Hyderabad]] during the [[2020 Indian Premier League]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=After first look from Muralitharan's biopic gets unveiled, netizens trend 'Shame On Vijay Sethupathi'|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2020/oct/14/after-first-look-from-muralitharans-biopic-gets-unveiled-netizens-trend-shame-on-vijay-sethupathi-2210142.html|access-date=13 July 2021|website=The New Indian Express|date=14 October 2020 |archive-date=16 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116114021/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2020/oct/14/after-first-look-from-muralitharans-biopic-gets-unveiled-netizens-trend-shame-on-vijay-sethupathi-2210142.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Muralitharan denied the allegations regarding supporting the killing of civilians during the civil war and insisted that the war should not be glorified.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-10-17|title=Muttiah Muralitharan: 'I did not support the killing of innocent civilians'|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/muttiah-muralitharan-i-did-not-support-the-killing-of-innocent-civilians/article32877421.ece|access-date=13 July 2021|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=20 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020063231/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/muttiah-muralitharan-i-did-not-support-the-killing-of-innocent-civilians/article32877421.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> Due to the political upheavals regarding the film, Muralitharan himself urged Sethupathi to opt out of the project and the film project did not materialise.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Muralitharan offers Vijay Sethupathi out from controversial biopic|url=https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/muralitharan-offers-vijay-sethupathi-out-controversial-biopic|access-date=13 July 2021|website=www.tamilguardian.com|archive-date=13 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713121027/https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/muralitharan-offers-vijay-sethupathi-out-controversial-biopic|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Fernando|first=Andrew Fidel|date=2020-10-23|title=Muttiah Muralitharan biopic: A compelling life story, lost in the fog of illogic|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/muttiah-muralitharans-compelling-life-story-lost-in-the-fog-of-illogic/article32922051.ece|access-date=13 July 2021|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=6 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106203318/https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/muttiah-muralitharans-compelling-life-story-lost-in-the-fog-of-illogic/article32922051.ece|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 17 April 2023, coinciding with the birthday of Muralitharan, the first look poster of the biopic titled ''[[800 (film)|800]]'' was released with [[Madhur Mittal]] replacing Sethupathi. The film, produced by Movie Train Motion Pictures, was filmed across Sri Lanka, Chennai, Cochin, England, and Australia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dtnext.in/cinema/2023/04/17/slumdog-millionaire-fame-madhur-to-play-muralitharan-in-biopic-800|title='Slumdog Millionaire' fame Madhur to play Muralitharan in biopic '800'|access-date=17 April 2023|website=DT Next|date=17 April 2023|archive-date=17 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417043838/https://www.dtnext.in/cinema/2023/04/17/slumdog-millionaire-fame-madhur-to-play-muralitharan-in-biopic-800|url-status=live}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Cricket}}
* [[ICC Cricket Hall of Fame]]
* [[List of international cricketers called for throwing]]
* [[List of cricketers called for throwing in top-class cricket matches in Australia]]
* [[List of World XI ODI cricketers]]
* [[List of Asian XI ODI cricketers]]
* [[World Cricket Tsunami Appeal]]
{{clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140528043439/http://www.royalchallengers.com/muttiah-muralitharan Royalchallengers Player Profile: Muttiah Muralitharan]
* [http://content.cricinfo.com/srilanka/content/player/49636.html ESPNcricinfo Player Profile: Muttiah Muralitharan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050727024530/http://content.cricinfo.com/srilanka/content/player/49636.html |date=27 July 2005 }}
* {{Twitter}}

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{{s-ttl|title=[[List of Test cricket bowling records|World Record – Most Career Wickets in Test cricket]]|years= 800 wickets (22.72) in 133 Tests}}
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{{s-ttl|title=[[List of One Day International cricket records|World Record – Most Career Wickets in ODI cricket]]|years= 534 wickets (23.08) in 350 matches}}
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}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Muralitharan, Muttiah}}
[[Category:1972 births]]
[[Category:ACC Asian XI One Day International cricketers]]
[[Category:Alumni of St. Anthony's College, Kandy]]
[[Category:Chennai Super Kings cricketers]]
[[Category:Sri Lankan expatriate cricketers in India]]
[[Category:Chattogram Challengers cricketers]]
[[Category:Sri Lankan expatriate cricketers in Bangladesh]]
[[Category:Cricketers at the 1996 Cricket World Cup]]
[[Category:Cricketers at the 1999 Cricket World Cup]]
[[Category:Cricketers at the 2003 Cricket World Cup]]
[[Category:Cricketers at the 2011 Cricket World Cup]]
[[Category:Gloucestershire cricketers]]
[[Category:Sri Lankan expatriate cricketers in England]]
[[Category:ICC World XI One Day International cricketers]]
[[Category:Jamaica Tallawahs cricketers]]
[[Category:Kandurata cricketers]]
[[Category:Kent cricketers]]
[[Category:Kochi Tuskers Kerala cricketers]]
[[Category:Lancashire cricketers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Melbourne Renegades cricketers]]
[[Category:Sri Lankan expatriate cricketers in Australia]]
[[Category:Cricketers from Kandy]]
[[Category:Royal Challengers Bengaluru cricketers]]
[[Category:Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club cricketers]]
[[Category:Sri Lankan Hindus]]
[[Category:Sri Lanka One Day International cricketers]]
[[Category:Sri Lanka Test cricketers]]
[[Category:Sri Lanka Twenty20 International cricketers]]
[[Category:Uthura Rudras cricketers]]
[[Category:Wellington cricketers]]
[[Category:Wisden Cricketers of the Year]]
[[Category:Wisden Leading Cricketers in the World]]
[[Category:World XI Test cricketers]]
[[Category:Tamil sportspeople]]
[[Category:Sri Lankan cricket coaches]]
[[Category:Deshabandu]]
[[Category:Sri Lankan people of Indian descent]]
[[Category:Sri Lankan people of Indian Tamil descent]]
[[Category:People with Overseas Citizenship of India]]