ON THIS DAY | Muttiah Muralitharan Scalped His Historic 800th Test Wicket 14 Years Ago — WATCH

ON THIS DAY: The Sri Lankan legend scalped his 800th and final wicket on July 22, 2010, against India and ended his legendary Test career on a memorable note. Here are the details. WATCH.

Muttiah Muralitharan holds the record for the most number of wickets in Test Internationals

Source : @ICC / X

ON THIS DAY: It was July 22, 2010, when Muttiah Muralitharan shaked hands with paradise, as he became the first ever bowler to scalp 800 wickets in Test internationals. The feat was achieved on Day 5 of the 1st Test match between India and Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium in Galle. It was Pragyan Ojha that became the last ever wicket of Muttiah Muralitharan, as a legendary career showed its final glimpse on the Test international stage.

Magical number 800 ✨💛#OnThisDay, the legend set an unbeatable record! 💪#WhistlePodu pic.twitter.com/XMp93lwo8F

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) July 22, 2024

Watch here:

14 years ago, the all-time greatest spinner, Muttiah Muralitharan retired.

This was the final delivery which resulted in Sri Lanka winning the match, and the legend scalping his 800th test wicket to his name.

I remember this day like it was yesterday 🥲 pic.twitter.com/ayC4VnerGt

— Kanishka Roshan (@KrosaniTy) July 22, 2024

 

A Quick Recap Of The Iconic Sri Lanka Vs India Test Match At Galle In 2010

Muttiah Muralitharan was already the leading wicket taker in Test Internationals by a big margin even before the commencement of the 1st Test match between India and Sri Lanka. However, the right-arm off-spinner was on the cusp of history, as he was then standing at 792 Test wickets. Muralidharan needed at least 8 wickets across both the innings to attain the iconic feat, which was never done before.

The first innings was fruitful for the legend, as he scalped a five-wicket haul to dismiss India for 278 in reply to Sri Lanka's first innings total of 520. Then Sri Lanka skipper — Kumar Sangakkara enforced follow-on, as India were trailing by 242 runs.

India batted well in their second innings, but any total below 500 was not a worthy one for India, as Sri Lanka were in the winning position right from the word go. India were on 336/9 when Muttiah Muralidharan came to bowl and Sri Lanka needed one wicket to bundle out India, whereas Muralidharan, who managed to take 2 wickets in the second innings, needed that ONE wicket to reach the mark of 800 wickets.

On the mark of 4th ball of 116th over, Muttiah Muralidharan bowled his traditional off-spin to batter Pragyan Ojha, who managed to nick an outside edge, and Mahela Jayawardene took a fine catch in the 1st slip to create history, and Muttiah Muralidharan attained the iconic feat, and walked out of the field, on the Test international stage, for the very last time.

Sri Lanka did not disappoint with the bat, as they gave their departing legend a fitting farewell in his final Test match by beating India by 10 wickets, as they chased down the target of 95 with ease.