It was Saqlain Mushtaq who taught me the basics of bowling the doosra: Muttiah Muralidaran

Muttiah Muralitharan. (Photo Source: Sunil Ghosh/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)

Muttiah Muralidaran is arguably the greatest spinner to have ever played the game of cricket. He bid adieu to international cricket after picking up 800 wickets in 133 Tests, 534 wickets in 350 ODIs, and 13 wickets in 12 T20Is. No bowler has picked up more wickets than Muralidaran in Tests or ODIs.

During his illustrious international career, which spanned close to two decades, the off-spinner bamboozled several world-class batters with his masterful skills. He had some iconic battles with some legendary batters during his playing days. While speaking in an interactive session in front of the students of SB College on Saturday, January 6, Muralidaran named Virender Sehwag as the toughest batter he bowled to.

Meanwhile, the 51-year-old, who retired from international cricket in 2011, named West Indies icon Vivian Richards as a batter he ‘greatly admired’.

Playing for Kochi Tuskers was a great experience: Muttiah Muralitharan

Muralidaran revealed that legendary Pakistani off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq taught him the art of bowling the ‘doosra’, and that it took him three years to master it.

“It was Saqlain Mushtaq, who taught me the basics of bowling the ‘doosra’. Doosra is a challenging delivery to master, and it took me over three years to bowl it with precision,” Muralidaran said.

The Kandy-born reminisced his tenure with the erstwhile Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise – Kochi Tuskers Kerala in 2011. He hoped Kerala would produce more talented cricketers like S Sreesanth and Sanju Samson.

“Playing for Kochi Tuskers was a great experience. I hope Kerala will continue to produce more talented cricketers like S Sreesanth and Sanju Samson,” Muralidaran stated.

Muralidaran was a part of the ODI World Cup-winning Sri Lanka squad in 1996. He also played a major role in making the Lankan Lions one of the strongest sides in world cricket. Muralidaran is currently serving as the spin-bowling coach of former IPL champions Sunrisers Hyderabad. He has been with the franchise for multiple seasons and has done a commendable job.