On This Day In 2010: Muttiah Muralitharan Signed Off With A Record 800 Test Wickets

On July 22, 2010, Sri Lankan spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan scripted cricket history by becoming the first bowler to complete 800 Test wickets in his final match.

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Muttiah Muralitharan represented Sri Lanka for nearly 18 years, with a career spanning 17 years and 328 days. (Image: ICC/X, formerly Twitter)

On This Day In Cricket: July 22, 2010, remains one of the most memorable dates in cricket history as Sri Lankan spin maestro Muttiah Muralitharan achieved a feat that no bowler had ever accomplished before. Playing his final Test match against India at the Galle International Stadium, Murali claimed his 800th Test wicket with the dismissal of Pragyan Ojha, bringing the curtain down on one of the greatest careers in the sport.

The milestone was achieved in dramatic fashion, with the final wicket arriving on the last ball of his Test career. A catch by Mahela Jayawardene at first slip completed the moment and sealed Muralitharan’s place among cricket’s all-time greats.

Known for his exceptional control, variations and ability to dominate batsmen across conditions, Muralitharan finished his Test career as the leading wicket-taker in the format’s history, a record that continues to stand.

The Historic 800th Wicket Moment

Muttiah Muralitharan entered the first Test against India at Galle knowing he needed eight wickets to reach the landmark figure of 800 Test wickets.

After Sri Lanka posted a big first-innings total, Murali played a crucial role by taking five wickets as India struggled with the challenge of his spin. In the second innings, he dismissed key Indian batsmen including Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh as Sri Lanka pushed for victory.

With India’s last pair at the crease, Muralitharan finally reached the historic mark by dismissing Pragyan Ojha. The catch was completed by Mahela Jayawardene at first slip, creating a perfect ending to an extraordinary Test career.

Muttiah Muralitharan’s Test Career in Numbers

Matches: 133

Wickets: 800

Bowling Average: 22.72

Five-wicket hauls: 67

Ten-wicket matches: 22

Muralitharan remains the only bowler in Test cricket history to reach 800 wickets.

Wickets Against Every Full Member Nation

During his remarkable career, Muralitharan dominated batsmen from across the cricketing world:

• Australia: 59 wickets
• Bangladesh: 89 wickets
• England: 112 wickets
• India: 105 wickets
• New Zealand: 44 wickets
• Pakistan: 130 wickets
• South Africa: 104 wickets
• West Indies: 57 wickets
• Zimbabwe: 100 wickets

Muralitharan’s Milestone Wicket Journey

1st wicket: Craig McDermott (Australia) — August 28, 1992

100th wicket: Stephen Fleming (New Zealand) — March 16, 1997

200th wicket: Jim Troughton (England) — August 27, 1998

300th wicket: Shaun Pollock (South Africa) — January 22, 2001

400th wicket: Henry Olonga (Zimbabwe) — January 15, 2002

500th wicket: Michael Kasprowicz (Australia) — March 16, 2004

600th wicket: Khaled Mashud (Bangladesh) — March 11, 2006

700th wicket: Syed Rasel (Bangladesh) — July 14, 2007

800th wicket: Pragyan Ojha (India) — July 22, 2010

Records And Career Highlights

Muralitharan represented Sri Lanka for nearly 18 years, with a career spanning 17 years and 328 days. He was the fastest bowler to reach several major Test milestones, including 350, 400, 450, 500, 600 and 700 wickets.

His partnership with former Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene also created a unique record. Jayawardene took 77 catches off Muralitharan’s bowling, making them the most successful bowler-fielder combination in Test cricket history.

Why Muralitharan’s 800 Wickets Remain Special

Reaching 800 Test wickets required extraordinary consistency, skill and longevity. From turning tracks in Sri Lanka to challenging overseas conditions, Muralitharan’s ability to outsmart batsmen made him one of the most feared bowlers in world cricket.

His final wicket at Galle was more than just a statistic, it was the perfect farewell for a player who transformed spin bowling and left behind a record-breaking legacy.

About the Author

Nibandh VinodAssociate Editor

Nibandh Vinod is a seasoned journalist with nearly three decades of experience. He specialises in covering events and festivals and in driving SEO-focused content for News18.com. Tech-savvy and collab…Read More

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Original source: https://www.news18.com/cricket/