
On This Day In 2010: Muralitharan Signs Off With 800 Wickets In Test Cricket
News18
On This Day In 2010: One of the greatest spinners the world has ever seen, Muttiah Muralitharan, retired from Test cricket on this day after a remarkable career for Sri Lanka. An unorthodox off-spinner with a lethal doosra, the magician cast his spell on batters from all over the globe and finished with an incredible 800 scalps in Test cricket at Galle versus India in 2010.
Heading into the three-match series versus the neighbours, Muralitharan shocked cricket lovers by announcing that the opening Test at Galle will be his last.
Aged 38, the great off-spinner decided to hang up his boots and rest his shoulders after carrying Sri Lanka's bowling attack throughout his glorious 18-year reign.
#OnThisDay in 2010, Muttiah Muralitharan signed off from Test cricket in style by taking his 800th Test wicket pic.twitter.com/KEP4lCRfg4 — ICC (@ICC) July 22, 2016
The feisty character challenged himself, however, to record the unbelievable 800 wickets milestone in that Test match and hand the hosts an upper hand over the tourists.
Standing on 792 wickets in 132 appearances, Muralitharan turned his 133rd and last Test for Sri Lanka into a memorable one as his figures of 5 for 63 and 3 for 128 helped the Lankan Lions defeat the mighty Indian side, featuring some of the legends of the game.
He then got rid of the maestro Sachin Tendulkar and skipper MS Dhoni to stand on the brink of his finest achievement.
Late resistance from India's lower-order forced Muralitharan to wait, but he ultimately bagged the insurmountable No.800 by dismissing Pragyan Ojha and closing off the Indian innings at 338, setting up an easy chase of 95 runs and a ten-wicket victory for his team.
Muralitharan celebrated his greatest feat in front of his family and friends present amidst a packed crowd at the Galle International Stadium.
He was later lifted on his teammates' shoulders in the most emotional post-match scenes as Sri Lanka's finest cricketer bid farewell to the Test match game.
On this day in 2010, Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan retired from the longest format of the game, finishing with 800 Test wickets 🙌 pic.twitter.com/xw17urNuKc — ICC (@ICC) July 22, 2022
Muralitharan finished as the format's highest wicket-taker, with his tally unlikely to be surpassed in an era of dwindling number of Tests.
He recorded his 800 wickets at a staggering average of 22.72 and holds the record for most five-wicket hauls (67) and most ten-wicket hauls (22) to his name.
view comments
First Published:
July 22, 2025, 07:39 IST
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Hindu
25 minutes ago
- The Hindu
ENG vs IND, 4th Test: Indomitable Rishabh Pant brings Old Trafford to its feet
As Rishabh Pant walked out to bat on Thursday, with a fractured foot, he received the loudest of cheers from the fans. The Old Trafford gave a standing ovation as a nonchalant Pant limped his way to the middle, kissing the boundary rope on the way. He was visibly in pain and discomfort, but with India six down, Pant took painkillers and followed all the necessary medical protocols to take the field. Despite moving gingerly, Pant occasionally took a few singles before dealing in boundaries. He eventually brought up his 18th Test fifty, with a boundary through the covers against Ben Stokes, before falling to Jofra Archer for 54. Rishabh Pant hits Archer for six runs during day two of the Fourth Test Match between England and India. | Photo Credit: STU FORSTER His dedication towards the game reminded one of Anil Kumble's heroics when the former India captain bowled with a broken jaw during the second Test match of the 2002 tour of the West Indies, demonstrating immense grit. Pant displayed similar steel on Thursday. There was a bit of a grimace on his face, but with the series on the line and the team needing him the most, Pant once again demonstrated his indomitable spirit. 👏👏👏 Resounding reception for Rishabh Pant from all around the ground as he hobbles out to the middle.#ENGvsIND# — Sportstar (@sportstarweb) July 24, 2025 Since his formative years, Pant talks to himself throughout the innings. This was something his coach, the late Tarak Sinha, taught him. Things were no different this time either. After he completed every run, Pant could be seen muttering something to himself, while Washington Sundar walked up to him at frequent intervals to check whether he was feeling alright. By the time Pant returned to the middle, India had already breached the 300-run mark. But what was important was to extend the tally further, and the Indian keeper-batter knew that if he could hold out longer, it would happen. Despite the pain, his innings was quite Pant-esque as he picked his time to play a few uncanny shots. Even as the pitch offered a fair amount of lateral movement and some inconsistent bounce, Pant remained unperturbed. His 23-run partnership with Washington meant India put up a fairly decent total on the board. Though the BCCI did not mention it, Pant will not feature in the final Test at the Oval next week and won't even do the wicketkeeping duties in the ongoing Test as he has been advised six week's rest by the doctors. In Pant's absence, Dhruv Jurel will take charge of the keeping duties. The team management was keen on calling up Ishan Kishan as a back-up option. However, the selectors were informed that Kishan, who is recovering from an injury, may not be in a position to travel to England at this point. As a result, the selectors have now reached out to N. Jagadeesan, who is likely to join the team ahead of the final Test next week. Pant had hurt his finger in the previous Test at Lord's, which prevented him from keeping wickets, but had batted in both innings. And, as he took the field at Old Trafford, it indeed, spoke volumes about his character.
&w=3840&q=100)

Business Standard
25 minutes ago
- Business Standard
ENG vs IND: Rishabh Pant surpasses MS Dhoni for most 50+ scores in England
Rishabh Pant came out to bat with a fractured toe but still managed to complete his half-century in the 4th Test between India and England at Old Trafford in Manchester on Wednesday. This was Pant's ninth 50-plus score in England, making him the wicketkeeper-batter with the most 50+ scores in an away country. He surpasses MS Dhoni, who had eight such scores in England during his career. 27-year-old Pant has now recorded five 50-plus scores in the ongoing Test series against England in 2025, setting a new record for the most 50+ scores by an Indian wicketkeeper in a single Test series. This takes him past legendary names such as Farokh Engineer (4 vs ENG in 1972/73) and MS Dhoni, who had four each against Australia (2008/09) and England (2014). Pant also etched his name in the history books, with 479 runs and counting. As he now holds the record for the most Test runs scored by a wicketkeeper in a single series in England, surpassing Alec Stewart's 464-run tally against South Africa in 1998. What makes Pant's achievement even more extraordinary is the context in which it has come. Battling a fractured toe in the fourth Test at Old Trafford, the 27-year-old has not only shown resilience but also displayed his trademark flair. His runs have been crucial in an injury-hit Indian lineup that is searching for batting consistency amid testing conditions. Pant eclipsed a long-standing record held by Stewart, a hallmark of England's late-90s cricketing era. Interestingly, Jamie Smith, England's own rising wicketkeeper, also features on the list with 415* runs in the same 2025 series—highlighting the high standards set by both glovemen in the ongoing contest. Jonny Bairstow's 387 runs against Sri Lanka in 2016 rounds off the elite list, further underlining Pant's place among modern-day greats in red-ball cricket. 479* - Rishabh Pant vs ENG, 2025 464 - Alec Stewart vs SA, 1998 415* - Jamie Smith vs IND, 2025 387 - Jonny Bairstow vs SL, 2016


News18
an hour ago
- News18
A Toast To The WSL! Alcohol To Be Permitted In Stands At Women's Super League Games
Last Updated: Alcohol will be allowed in the stands at select Women's Super League matches in England during the 2025–26 season, involving seven clubs after a successful pilot. For the first time in decades, alcohol will be allowed in the stands at select professional football matches in England—though only at Women's Super League (WSL) fixtures. The change, part of a controlled trial, will apply to seven top-tier women's clubs during the 2025–26 season. The longstanding ban on drinking alcohol in view of the pitch at men's matches, introduced in 1985 to combat hooliganism and stadium violence, remains firmly in place. However, the women's game—widely regarded as a more family-friendly and inclusive environment—has not been subject to the same restrictions. The WSL announced on Thursday that, starting next season, fans attending home games at Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, Liverpool, London City Lionesses, Manchester City, and Manchester United will be permitted to consume alcohol in the stands. The trial follows a successful pilot last season involving four second-tier clubs from the Women's Championship. Across 19 matches attended by approximately 51,000 fans, the WSL reported overwhelmingly positive feedback. According to the WSL, two-thirds of attendees supported the initiative, and 84% rated their personal safety between 9 and 10 out of 10. 'Players and match officials noted no change to fan behaviour," the WSL said in a statement. 'Average spending on food and beverages increased across these fixtures, and match attendances also rose." The decision reflects the consistently respectful and welcoming environment at women's football matches—markedly different from the historically volatile atmosphere of the men's game. Foul language and crowd disturbances are rare, reinforcing the family-oriented appeal of the women's league. The move also echoes the success of in-seat alcohol sales during the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 tournament, where fans enjoyed a similar experience without incident. The 2025–26 Women's Super League season is set to begin on September 6. (with Reuters inputs) view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.