It was one of those tense days during 2005 tri-series in Sri Lanka where India and West Indies were participating along with the host country, when a bomb blast in Colombo threatened to bring the series to a sudden halt. The mistrust between the two leading communities of Sri Lanka was at its peak and anyone speaking the Tamil language was seen as a possible threat.
Amidst all this tension, there was still one Tamilian who was being mobbed by the Colombo fans for his autograph. No prizes for guessing right. It was the only Tamilian face of the Lankan team Muttiah Muralitharan who was practising with his teammates at this Colombo ground, unfazed by all the surrounding activities.
After a two-hour practice session at the Sri Lanka Cricket headquarters, Murali went straight to the adjoining
Tamil Union Sports Club for a stroll. The gloomy atmosphere there suddenly came alive and few young Tamil boys gathered around Murali for his expert comments.
Times may have changed now — no more bomb blasts or spectre of death hanging in the air, but not unlike on a previous occasion, tension continued to prevail in entire Sri Lanka on Thursday. It was a fear tinged with love and hope, of delicious anticipation for the country’s most admired Tamil citizen who was stuck on a 799-wicket mark.
The entire nation was glued to the television sets, watching Muralitharan trying all his variations against two of the Indian tailenders, Ishant Sharma and Pragyan Ojha. Ishant, in particular, looked absolutely determined not to give his wicket to this smiling assassin. A run-out of VVS Laxman, minutes ago, already caused many a heart attack to Murali fans. There were speculations galore.
Will he end up his career like the way Sir Don Bradman did? Will he also be struck on this 799-mark? There were numerous questions crossing the minds of Murali’s diehard fans, but the determination of his fellow bowlers to not go for wickets was one comforting factor. When a sharp Murali delivery kissed the outer edge of the left-handed Ojha to reach the 800-wicket milestone, celebrations broke out and a magnificent and controversial Test career came to a dramatic close.
Even in his last Test, Murali took eight wickets to set up an easy victory for his home team. This has always been the hallmark of Murali’s career. Instead of just being content with his individual performance, Murali concentrated his efforts more on taking Sri Lankan cricket to this pinnacle. He joined the team when the Lankans were used to being called the ‘minnows of Test cricket’ and has now retired after 17 years of a long illustrious inning where he saw them reaching the acme of success.
Is he the greatest ever?
The way Test cricket is now been played around the world, it is almost unthinkable that anyone would get close to the 800-wicket mark ever again in the history of cricket. But more important than this mark, is the way Murali has played the game.
Although the speedster Chaminda Vaas gave him valuable support during his career but for most of the time, especially in Tests, Muralitharan spearheaded the Lankan attack entirely on his own. In fact with his retirement, batsmen all around would be spared the nerve-rattling rumours that Murali has developed another magical delivery!
Murali’s biggest asset was his ability to turn the ball off the wicket. His unorthodox bowling style allowed him to impart the spin like no other in the world.
The accusations of “chucking” that have dogged Murali would be hard to scotch even in the future. But he has always tried to prove his detractors wrong with his match-winning performances. His supporters have never got into the cricketing technicalities. His right arm has a congenital defect which means that it appears to bend more than it actually does when he bowls, was all the explanation that was ever offered.
More than once he has been filmed bowling in the nets with a brace strapped to his arm that allows for virtually no elbow flex. So, why blame just Murali for this?
In fact, in 2004 Champions Trophy, an ICC video analysis found that more than 99 per cent bowlers have been flexing their elbows to some extent. The permission of 15 degree elbow bend would also be attributed to the controversy generated after Murali’s action. However, one thing is certain that replacing Muralitharan, who was not just a great bowler but was also an effective late-order batsman and a safe catcher in the outfield, will just be difficult for Sri Lanka.
The person who looked likely to replace him till a few month’s back was another mystery man Ajantha Mendis. But the sudden decline in his form has put a question mark to his own place in the team.
Warne or Murali?
It is difficult to choose between these two magicians. Warne was definitely a better tactician but Murali was infectious. However, both these great spinners had one thing in common... hunger for wickets. Though Shane Warne would be remembered for his clean bowling action and off-field activities, Murali will be remembered for his sheer grit on the field and his good conduct off it.
In fact, these two taught the younger generation the art of taking wickets. They were never content to bide their time and wait for errors from the batsmen. Rather, they always tried, lured and attacked them with different variations.
The golden era has definitely come to an end. But the hope to see this great bowler in action, during the shorter formats, remains. He is likely to bow out of One-day Internationals after next year’s World Cup, and may also continue to be part of the cash-rich Indian Premier League.
Certainly, Murali’s retirement, after Warne and Anil Kumble, may well mean there will be one less reason to watch Test cricket, which is wilting under the pressure of Twenty20 format.
Over to cricket’s GenerationNext now to carry on the good work done by these legends!
--By a source, (The author is a sports writer).
