New Delhi: Muttiah Muralitharan, who will bow out of international cricket after today's World Cup final, leaves behind a career marked by record-breaking performances and a bitter controversy over his action.
The off-spinner, who quit Tests last year with 800 wickets in 133 matches, goes into the final against India with 534 scalps in 349 ODIs, after troubling batsmen, and administrators, for nearly two decades.
It will be virtually impossible to surpass Muralitharan's records as currently active players nearest to the marks are Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh (393 Test wickets) and Australian paceman Brett Lee (348 One-day wickets).
Muralitharan is to bowling what India's Sachin Tendulkar is to batting. The Indian also holds two major cricketing records — highest runs in Tests (14,692) and one-day internationals (18,093).
But unlike Tendulkar, who will be in the India team today, the Sri Lankan has been in the news for more than a decade as much for his bowling action as his extraordinary skill.
Muralitharan, born with a bent elbow, was called three times for "throwing" by Australian umpires in the mid-1990s and was also once called a "chucker" by former Australian prime minister John Howard.
Despite the International Cricket Council amending the law in 2005 to allow a 15-degree flexibility in the bowling arm, the debate refuses to die down.
Muralitharan did not let the criticism affect his bowling and continued to make life miserable for batsmen with his huge turn and disconcerting bounce.
He was virtually unplayable at home, where pitches are more spinner-friendly.
He also has a deceptive "doosra", a delivery which leaves the right-handers instead of coming in to them like a conventional off-break.
Former Australian captain Steve Waugh once called the Sri Lankan the "Don Bradman of bowlers" and a "rubber-wristed illusionist".
"He is a unique type of bowler. He gets people talking about cricket. He's the sort of player you want in the game. He is great to watch and makes Sri Lanka competitive in world cricket," Waugh said.
Former Australian leg-spin wizard Shane Warne called Muralitharan a "unique" bowler who "presents challenges that any serious batsman loves to tackle".
"All in all, whatever your opinion is of the great off-spinner, it's a real challenge to face him, and the way the ball leaves his hands and dips and fizzes is truly a great skill," he said.
Muralitharan bagged five or more wickets in a Test innings 67 times and 10 or more in a match on 22 occasions — both world records. He also has 10 hauls of five or more wickets in One-dayers.
The only milestone that remained elusive for Muralitharan is 10 wickets in a Test innings, achieved so far by Englishman Jim Laker and India's Anil Kumble.
The Sri Lankan's Test-best is 9-51 against Zimbabwe in his home town of Kandy in 2002, while his best in One-dayers is 7-30 against India in Sharjah in 2000.
Now his fans hope that Murali, who turns 39 later this month, can shake off the injuries which have plagued him at this World Cup to enjoy his last day in the limelight today.
Sangakkara ‘hopeful' over ace spinner
Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara is hopeful Muttiah Muralitharan will feature in today's World Cup final and admitted that the veteran off-spinner was feeling upbeat in the dressing room.
Muralitharan, the world's leading Test and one-day bowler, who turns 39 this month, has been struggling with hamstring and knee injuries and has been rated as a doubt for the final against India, his last match before retirement.
"Murali's presence is always important. He's a big-match player, he's been amazing for us, so hopefully if he is fit he will take the field," Sangakkara said.
"Everyone understands it is hard to shut Murali up, whatever his mood is. He's pretty upbeat, he's always talking, laughing and annoying most of the other players in the dressing room. Today has been no different.
"It is great to have him in the side, great to hopefully have him tomorrow and play this World Cup final with us. Whatever happens, we want to play for him and play for each other and do the best we can do."
