Test cricket legend Muttiah Muralitharan is firm in his belief that his 800-wicket record will remain untouched. He also shares his concerns about the fading interest in Test cricket in the modern era.
Is Muralitharan’s 800-Wicket Record Truly Unbreakable?
Sri Lankan cricket legend Muttiah Muralitharan, who holds the world record for the most Test wickets, believes his achievement of 800 wickets will stand the test of time. In an era increasingly dominated by shorter formats like T20, Muralitharan doubts that modern bowlers can match his feat. Let’s dive into what the legend had to say:
Why Test Cricket is Struggling to Keep Up
- According to Muralitharan, the charm of Test cricket has been on the decline since the rise of T20 cricket.
- Players today are shifting their focus to shorter formats, with Test matches receiving far less attention from both athletes and fans.
- “Test cricket is losing its glory,” Muralitharan warns, hinting that many players and even audiences are showing less interest in the traditional format.
The Unbreakable Record of 800 Test Wickets
- Muralitharan proudly holds the world record for the highest number of Test wickets (800), a milestone that has stood tall for years.
- He predicts it will never be broken, especially with cricketers nowadays prioritizing shorter formats like T20 and ODI.
Why Today’s Bowlers Are Struggling
- The great man says, “It’s impossible for today’s bowlers to break my record,” due to the shorter cricket seasons and modern cricketers’ preference for quicker, limited-over games.
- Muralitharan’s career spanned an impressive 20 years, but modern cricketers typically have much shorter careers and lack the consistency needed to achieve similar feats.
Declining Viewership of Test Matches
- Muralitharan highlighted that Test cricket is now mostly watched in countries like England and Australia, where traditions like the Ashes still bring in large crowds.
- He points out that other nations barely play more than 6 or 7 Test matches in a year.
Bowlers Who Came Close (But Not Close Enough)
- Current bowlers like Nathan Lyon (530 wickets) and Ravichandran Ashwin (516 wickets) are the closest to breaking the record. However, Muralitharan believes their age (both in their mid-30s) makes it unlikely.
- England’s James Anderson recently retired with an impressive tally of 704 Test wickets, making him third on the all-time list, but even he couldn’t reach Muralitharan’s record.
FAQs on Muttiah Muralitharan
Q: Why does Muralitharan believe his record will never be broken?
A: He cites the rise of T20 cricket, shorter careers, and the decreasing focus on Test matches.
Q: Who is the closest bowler to Muralitharan’s record?
A: Currently, Nathan Lyon (530 wickets) and Ravichandran Ashwin (516 wickets) are the closest, but Muralitharan believes they won’t surpass his tally.
Q: Is Test cricket losing popularity?
A: Yes, Muralitharan highlights that fewer people are watching Test cricket, and fewer matches are played, except in countries like England and Australia.