July 22: The wait was nearly unbearable. After nearly 24 overs and four hours, those gun slinging eyes narrowed, a perfect off-break was floated and then the eyes lit up as it has for nearly 18 seasons after every unsuspecting batsman has been snared. Muthiah Muralitharan who had to endure more questions than google, finished in a fashion reserved for the most deserving. The script could not have been more perfect.
Walking out on a red carpet on Thursday morning at the start, Murali made the end his own with another tireless show. “I started playing when I was eight years old and I still listen to my coach from school days. Arjuna Ranatunga and Aravinda de Silva and all those guys helped me through the tough times in 1995. I hold no grudge against anyone (umpires who no-balled him for suspect action). I am available for the World Cup if the selectors need me,” said Murali.
For a bowler who did not attach huge importance to numbers, 800 remained only a number. “800 wickets is only a number. We wanted to get the wickets quickly. You never know in Galle winning the match was the important thing. At that time I didn’t think about it, but it came in the end. I would not have lost sleep if it didn’t come. The most important thing is winning the match,” said Murali.
Murali was thankful for all the support he received during his farewell Test. “This is one of the greatest moment in my life. Warnaweera gave a good farewell. He decorated the venue in unbelievable fashion,” he said.
The off-spinner made his brand of bowling an art with wrists as much with fingers. It will be difficult to spot someone in the same class. “It is very difficult to say who will succeed. Each one is different. Can’t really say. I think our dressing room has three good spinners and they will take the team to a better position. As far as my future goes I haven’t thought of doing anything for cricket. I don’t think they will require me, because there are lot of people to do the job and I just need to continue in my life,” concluded Murali.