OTD | Veteran spinner Muttiah Muralitharan made his Test debut against Australia in 1992 

Sri Lankan star Muttiah Muralitharan is the best bowler to walk into a cricket field. The youngster made his debut in 1992 against Australia as a fresh-faced 20-year-old who had a lot of promise. By the time he ended his Test career, Muralitharan ended as the highest wicket-taker with 800 wickets. 

It wasn’t an easy career for the off-spin legend as he had to face questions about his bowling action. Twice he was called in his career by the on-field umpires and had to go through various tests conducted on his bowling action. 

Muttiah Muralitharan was the main weapon for captains like Arjuna Ranatunga, Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara. Even after his retirement, Murali was one of the most sought-after names in franchise cricket and played a key role in CSK’s title win in 2010. 

Muttiah Muralitharan: Start of legendary career

It was during the 2nd test match at the Premadasa stadium in 1992 that the world got to witness the spin magic of Muttiah Muralitharan for the first time. Australia under Allan Border were touring Sri Lanka. 

Arjuna Ranatunga the home team skipper gave just 17 overs to the young Muralitharan. The off-spinner gave away 32 runs and picked the wicket of Australian fast bowler Craig McDermott to register his maiden scalp in cricket. 

In the second innings, Muralitharan did better as he dismissed Tom Moody and Mark Waugh in successive balls. In the 2nd innings, Muralitharan bowled 34 overs and picked wickets for 109 runs as the match ended in a tame draw.

It was also the first time that Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan did battle on a cricket field to set up a rivalry that lasted over a decade and a half. The debut was widely heralded as being the birth of one of the finest spinners of the game. 

As the years progressed Muttiah Muralitharan became a key player for the Sri Lankans. From 1999 to 2010 the star spinner bowled many sides out with his ability to fox them in the air as well as with his doosra. As he peeled down his career in 2011, Muralitharan finished as the greatest bowler to play the game. 

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