Muttiah Muralitharan: The 800-Wicket Man and Greatest Spinner
Muttiah Muralitharan holds the record for most Test wickets (800) and most ODI wickets (534) in history, making him the most prolific wicket-taker across formats cricket has ever seen.
Muttiah Muralitharan is statistically the greatest wicket-taker in cricket history — an off-spin bowler from Sri Lanka who took 800 Test wickets at 22.72 and 534 ODI wickets at 23.08, records in both formats that stand to this day. Born in Kandy in 1972 into a Tamil family, Murali played 133 Tests between 1992 and 2010 and 350 ODIs. His unconventional bowling action — with a bent elbow due to a congenital condition that prevented full arm extension — was repeatedly scrutinised and cleared by the ICC, which commissioned biomechanical testing that confirmed his deliveries were legal.
The Doosra and Varieties
Muralitharan's wickets came primarily from his prodigious off-spin and the variation he generated — most famously the 'doosra' (the ball that turns the other way from an off-spinner's normal direction) and the 'topspinner.' His ability to generate extraordinary turn, particularly on home pitches at SSC and Galle, made him virtually unplayable in Sri Lanka. But he was also effective overseas — taking wickets in England, Australia and South Africa, conditions where off-spin was traditionally considered far less threatening. His 16 wickets in a Test against Zimbabwe, taken at Old Trafford in England (a tour match) reflect his extraordinary dominance.
800th Wicket and Records
Muralitharan took his 800th and final Test wicket off the last ball of his last Test innings in 2010 — dismissing Pragyan Ojha of India to reach 800 exactly. He had planned to retire regardless, but the timing was extraordinary. He passed Shane Warne's then-record of 708 wickets in 2007. No bowler in Test history has taken more than his 800, and the margin over Warne means the record is considered extremely unlikely to be broken. His ODI record of 534 wickets was also a world record at retirement.
Frequently asked questions
How many Test wickets did Muttiah Muralitharan take?
Muralitharan took 800 Test wickets from 133 matches at an average of 22.72 — the most in Test cricket history. He also took 534 ODI wickets, also a world record.
Was Muralitharan's bowling action legal?
Yes. The ICC commissioned multiple biomechanical studies of Muralitharan's action, all of which confirmed his deliveries were within legal limits. He was born with a congenital condition that bent his elbow — this was not straightening during delivery but was a natural anatomical feature.
When did Muralitharan take his 800th wicket?
Muralitharan took his 800th and final Test wicket off the last ball of his last Test match in 2010 against India — dismissing Pragyan Ojha. It was a coincidence of extraordinary timing.