Muttiah Muralitharan Explained: 800 Test Wickets, the Doosra, and the Bowling Action Controversy
Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka, 1992-2010) took 800 Test wickets — the most in cricket history, surpassing Shane Warne's 708. His bowling actions (off-spin and doosra) were twice reported and twice cleared by the ICC biomechanics tests. Why his hyperextended elbow (congenital condition from birth) caused his unusual arm angle, and why he remains the most wicket-taking Test bowler ever despite the controversy.
Muttiah Muralitharan (born April 17, 1972, Kandy, Sri Lanka) took 800 wickets in Test cricket — the highest wicket tally in Test history. He played 133 Tests for Sri Lanka from 1992 to 2010, averaging 22.72 per wicket (one of the lowest averages for any bowler with 200+ wickets). His bowling action — an off-break delivered with a hyperextended elbow — was reported for throwing twice (1995 vs Australia, 2004), tested by ICC biomechanics experts both times, and twice cleared. His doosra (the off-spinner's wrong-un that turns the other way) further expanded his wicket-taking arsenal.
The 800 Test Wickets Record
Muralitharan's Test wicket milestones: (1) World record progression: Shane Warne held the record for most Test wickets (708) from 2004 until his retirement in 2007. Muralitharan surpassed Warne's record during the 2007-08 season, passing 709 in a Test vs South Africa (July 2006, previously Warne's total). By his retirement in 2010, Muralitharan had extended the record to 800; (2) Final wicket milestone: Muralitharan's 800th Test wicket came on his final Test appearance — vs India at Galle (July 2010). He needed 8 wickets entering the Test for his 800 target. He took 5 in the first innings. The 800th came when he dismissed Pragyan Ojha (India's No. 11) — Muralitharan was then carried off the field by his teammates. The moment was one of cricket's most celebrated retirement farewells; (3) Wickets per match: Muralitharan averaged 6.0 wickets per Test match across 133 Tests — an extraordinary ratio. Many great bowlers average 4-5 wickets per match; (4) Against all opponents: Muralitharan's wickets came against all Test-playing nations. He was particularly dominant against England (most wickets), but also took numerous wickets vs Australia, India, Pakistan, South Africa, and the West Indies — his record has breadth across all opponents, not dominated by weaker nations.
The Bowling Action Controversy
Muralitharan's bowling action controversy: (1) First report (1995, Perth): Australian umpire Darrell Hair no-balled Muralitharan for throwing during a Test at the WACA (Australia vs Sri Lanka, December 1995). Hair called him 7 times in 3 overs. The decision caused a diplomatic incident — Sri Lanka threatened to withdraw from the tour. The ICC investigated; (2) Biomechanics testing: ICC-commissioned biomechanics experts at the University of Western Australia tested Muralitharan's bowling action. The testing found that Muralitharan's elbow straightened within ICC tolerance limits BECAUSE his elbow was permanently hyperextended from birth (a congenital condition — his elbow could not fully straighten). What appeared visually as a bend-and-straighten throwing action was, in Muralitharan's case, a static condition that existed before and during delivery — he was cleared; (3) Second report (2004): Muralitharan was again reported for throwing, this time for his doosra delivery specifically (the off-spinner's wrong-un, which tends to require greater wrist rotation and can involve more elbow straightening than the off-break). ICC testing found the doosra exceeded the legal 15-degree extension limit; however, the ICC had simultaneously increased the tolerance for all bowlers from 10 degrees to 15 degrees (2004 rules change). His off-break was cleared; his doosra was modified; (4) ICC's 2004 rules change: in 2004, the ICC increased the legal elbow straightening tolerance from 10 degrees to 15 degrees for all deliveries (all bowlers, not just Muralitharan). Critics argued this change was made specifically to accommodate Muralitharan; ICC maintained it was based on biomechanics research showing many bowlers slightly exceed the previous 10-degree limit unintentionally.
Legacy and ODI Record
Muralitharan's legacy and ODI career: (1) ODI wickets: Muralitharan took 534 wickets in 350 ODIs at 23.08 average — the second-highest wicket tally in ODI history (behind Waqar Younis's ODI total... actually: Muralitharan's 534 ODI wickets is the record for ODI wickets). He was dominant in all conditions including subcontinental pitches that traditionally favour spin; (2) Sri Lanka's greatest player: Muralitharan is considered Sri Lanka's greatest cricketer. Sri Lanka's Test cricket rise from 1996 (World Cup win) through the 2000s was built around Muralitharan. His wicket-taking provided Sri Lanka's main attacking threat in conditions worldwide; (3) IPL and coaching: post-retirement, Muralitharan has been involved in IPL coaching (Royal Challengers Bangalore, among others) and cricket administration. He is an ICC cricket committee member; (4) The 'was he a chucker?' debate: the throwing controversy has never fully disappeared in cricket discourse. Australian public opinion, in particular, has maintained skepticism about Muralitharan's action — Australian crowds famously booed him at the SCG and MCG. Cricket's laws are clear: twice cleared by ICC biomechanics testing. His record stands as the greatest Test wicket haul in history.
Frequently asked questions
How many wickets did Muralitharan take in Test cricket?
Muttiah Muralitharan took 800 wickets in 133 Test matches for Sri Lanka (1992-2010), the most Test wickets by any bowler in cricket history. He averaged 22.72 per wicket — one of the lowest averages for any bowler with 200+ Test wickets. He surpassed Shane Warne's record of 708 wickets. His 800th and final Test wicket came on his last Test appearance vs India at Galle in July 2010, when he dismissed Pragyan Ojha. He also holds the ODI record with 534 wickets in 350 ODIs.
Was Muralitharan's bowling action legal?
Muralitharan's bowling action was investigated by ICC biomechanics experts twice (1995 and 2004) and was cleared both times. The investigation found his unusual elbow angle was due to a congenital condition — his elbow was permanently hyperextended from birth, making it visually appear as if he was straightening a bent elbow when bowling, when in fact his arm was moving from its natural resting position. His action was within ICC legal limits. In 2004, the ICC increased the legal elbow straightening tolerance from 10 to 15 degrees for all bowlers — critics argued this was to accommodate Muralitharan; ICC stated it was based on broader biomechanics research. The throwing controversy has never fully resolved in public debate, despite the ICC clearances.
What is the doosra in cricket?
The doosra (meaning 'the second one' or 'the other one' in Urdu/Hindi) is a delivery bowled by an off-spin bowler that turns in the opposite direction to the standard off-break. For a right-arm off-spinner vs a right-handed batsman, the standard off-break turns from right to left (away from the right-hander). The doosra turns from left to right — like a leg-break. It was developed by Saqlain Mushtaq (Pakistan) and perfected by Muralitharan. The doosra is difficult to bowl legally because producing the back-of-hand delivery position tends to exceed the ICC's 15-degree elbow straightening limit for many bowlers. Muralitharan's congenital hyperextension gave him the ability to bowl it at or near the legal limit.