Muthiah Muralidaran’s Top 3 Performances in Test Cricket

Muthiah Muralidaran is arguably the best spin bowler that the world of cricket has ever seen. His mastery of off-spin bowling mesmerised fans globally over a career spanning two decades. Despite early controversies about his bowling action, Muralidaran emerged as Test cricket’s most successful bowler, amassing 800 Test wickets and 534 in ODIs, records likely to stand unmatched. His diverse spin variations, notably the challenging doosra, made him a formidable force on any pitch.

Muralidaran played a crucial role in Sri Lanka’s rise to cricketing prominence, contributing significantly to their 1996 Cricket World Cup victory under Arjuna Ranatunga’s leadership. Despite challenges including scrutiny and injuries, his dedication remained unwavering until his retirement in 2011. Admired for his humility and sportsmanship, Muralidaran is an icon in Sri Lankan cricket and is globally revered. Honoured with accolades like the Wisden Cricketer of the Year and the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Cricketer of the Year, his legacy as one of cricket’s greatest spin bowlers continues to inspire future generations worldwide. Let us look at the top three performances from spinner in Test Cricket;

3. 8/46 vs West Indies, 2005

In the second Test of the West Indies tour of Sri Lanka, the magician spun out a web which led to the downfall of West Indies betters. After bowling a subpar first-innings spell (2/37), the star spinner came back strongly in the second innings. With the West Indies team leading 378 runs to win, Muralidaran wreaked havoc on the visitors’ batting lineup as he registered a bowling figure of 8/46. He was probably the difference maker for the team in the second innings with his terrific spin bowling to which Caribbean batting surrendered.

2. 9/65 vs England, 1998

The Test that was played between Sri Lanka and England at the oval in the year 1998 will be remembered for Muralidharan’s brilliance not only with the bowl but also with the bat in hand. In the first innings, the spin wizard registered a bowling figure of 7/155 which helped the Sri Lankan team to restrict the Englishmen for a score of 445 runs. In the game where the pitch was deteriorating day by day, Muralidharan pulled out arguably the match-winning spell of 9/65 in the second innings which helped Sri Lanka to chase just the target of 37 runs to win the Test match as well as the series. In addition to it, Muralidharan also played a cameo of 30 runs in just 36 deliveries including 5 boundaries. For this magnificent performance, he was adjourned as the Player of the match

1. 9/51 vs Zimbabwe, 2002

In the second test of Zimbabwe’s tour of Sri Lanka, the spin wizard pulled off another match-winning performance which helped the Sri Lanka team win the game by an innings and 94 runs. In the game, Zimbabwe batted first and scored just 236 runs on a belter of wicket for batting. It was courtesy of his bowling performance in the first innings with a bowling figure of 9/51. This is by far the best bowling figure for him in the Test match cricket