Former Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralitharan finished his Test career with exactly 800 wickets. It was in 2010 when India toured Sri Lanka, Muralitharan decided to announce his retirement playing only the first Test. Very few would know that the legendary spinner had 792 scalps to his name before his final match.
Meanwhile, the then Sri Lankan skipper Kumar Sangakkara wanted to pursue Murali to play the whole series to touch the magical figure of 800 wickets. The former Sri Lanka skipper at the moment felt it would be a crime if Muttiah Muralitharan didn’t touch those numbers.
A decade has passed after Murali’s retirement. Recently, Sangakkara opened up regarding what went through the dressing room during that phase in interaction with Ravichandran Ashwin. Kumar Sangakkara also recalled options which he and the selectors gave to Muralitharan.
Muralitharan challenged he would pick 8 wickets: Kumar Sangakkara
“I will tell you the measure of the man, Ravi. He was 8 wickets away from 800. 800 Test wickets, as we all know is an incredible amount. He said he wanted to retire in the India series and I was the captain. I sat with the selectors and said, he wants to retire after the 1st Test. It’s not going to happen. We got to get him to get those 8 wickets and retire. So we called Murali into a meeting.
“I said ‘Murali, we know you like taking up challenges. But think of it this way. It will be a tragedy if you come so close and don’t get your 800. So you can play the 1st Test, and then if you are too tire or have a niggle, take the 2nd Test off and you come back for the 3rd Test. Or you can take 2 Tests off and come back for the next series,” Kumar Sangakkara said.
If I can’t I am not best spinner: Murali
However, Muralitharan declined that offer. Instead, Muttiah Muralitharan had thrown a challenge to the entire team that he will pick eight wickets and retire with 88 wickets, recalled Kumar Sangakkara.
“Murali looked at us and said ‘you know what? That is not going to work for you or for me. I have always loved challenges and if I am supposed to be the best spinner, I should be able to take 8 wickets at Galle against any side.
“And If I take 8 wickets, I am not just going to get my 800, we are going to win this Test match as well. If I can’t get it, I can’t get it. So this is my last Test. Thank You very much, I am going to take 8 wickets.’ I was seated then and I was thinking, that’s the kind of champion the guy was”, Sangakkara concluded.
Sri Lanka won that game at Galle by ten wickets and gave the legendary spinner a perfect goodbye.
