If cricketers had a day named after them

2. Spinner’s Day – Muttiah Muralitharan (April 17):

In a close contest with Shane Warne, Muttiah Muralitharan comes one step ahead on the basis of his all time wickets tally standing at a staggering 1,347 from 495 matches. Famous for his stock ball the “doosra”, Murali managed to rattle batsmen all over the world with his fingers’ magic.

He was a true wizard who could spin the ball both ways at just about any surface. Murali ended with 800 Test wickets and 77 five-wicket wicket halls combined, which is double the number Shane Warne managed. His most memorable performance remains the 7/155 against England in 1998 which he bettered in the second innings, picking up 9 wickets except for the one which went to a runout.

Though he remained in controversies for some part of his career, Murali always came back stronger, proving his doubters wrong. He had the strength and stamina to bowl marathon spells for the 18 years he represented Lanka. Part of the ’96 World Cup winning squad, he was the man who had been there for the country since the days they were battling to save their Test status till they were one of the superpowers of cricket.

Also read – 16 Facts about Muttiah Muralitharan: Turning the ball since 1992