Legendary Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, widely regarded as one of the greatest bowlers in cricket history, is confident that his remarkable record of 800 Test wickets will never be broken. Muralitharan, who played 133 Test matches for Sri Lanka, has expressed concerns about the future of Test cricket, noting that the format is losing its appeal as shorter formats like T20 and ODI dominate the scene.
The Difficulty of Breaking the Record
Muralitharan, in a recent interview, explained why it’s nearly impossible for anyone to surpass his record. “Careers are shorter now, and players are more focused on shorter formats. We played for 20 years, but now it’s harder for anyone to achieve such longevity in Test cricket,” he said. While there are off-spinners like Australia’s Nathan Lyon (530 wickets) and India’s Ravichandran Ashwin (516 wickets) chasing the milestone, the former Sri Lankan spinner believes that the shift in cricket’s focus makes breaking his record highly unlikely.
Concerns About Test Cricket’s Future
Muralitharan also shared his worries about the future of Test cricket. He fears that fewer countries are showing interest in the format, and some may play only six or seven Test matches annually. He remarked, “England and Australia may continue with the Ashes, but elsewhere, Test cricket doesn’t seem to attract much attention.”
Sri Lanka’s Famous Victory at The Oval
Muralitharan fondly recalled Sri Lanka’s 1998 victory at The Oval, a match where he played a crucial role in leading his team to success. “The wicket was flat, and England had posted a huge total. But we fought back, and on the fourth day, the pitch started to turn. I always managed to get bounce and spin, and that helped us win the match after 26 years,” he recalled.
Despite his concerns about the future of Test cricket, Muralitharan’s contributions to the game remain legendary, and his achievements continue to inspire generations of cricketers.
