Chennai, Dec 4 (ANI): A quiet corner of Chennai erupted in jubilation after Sri Lankan off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan claimed the world record for the Test wickets (709) by bowling England middle-order batsman Paul Collingwood on Monday.
Muralitharan over took Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne, who held the previous record of 708 wickets.
Nithya, Muralitharan’s mother-in-law, and her colleagues distributed sweets at a nursing home run by her in Chennai as the off spinner reclaimed the test wicket world record.
“He is very happy that he is able to achieve this. He was very determined to do it. I feel very happy because it’s not only recognition for him, but for the country and also for India,” Nithya said.
“I am sure Murali will be able to get more wickets in the years to come. I am sure he’ll do it. He is a very determined and committed player. I am sure he will do it,” Nithya added.
Warne retired from test cricket this year with 708 wickets from 145 matches while Muralitharan reached the milestone in his 116th game.
Muralitharan had previously held the world record after surpassing West Indian fast bowler Courtney Walsh (519 wickets) in 2004, but he was subsequently overtaken by Warne after suffering a shoulder injury that year.
Muralitharan holds other bowling records in test cricket, including the most number of five-wicket (61) and most number of ten-wicket hauls (20).
The 35-year-old is renowned for extracting prodigious turn from his unique and controversial rubber-wristed bowling action.
Muralitharan has also developed a special delivery called a “doosra” that spins in the opposite direction to his usual off spinner.
His career has been controversial, with umpires no-balling him for chucking the ball during 1995 and 1999 tours of Australia.
The controversy over Muralitharan’s action continues despite him being cleared by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after extensive biomechanical tests.
Muralitharan, an ethnic Tamil, is wedded to Madhimalar, a Chennai-based doctor since 2005. (ANI)