Lagatar24 Desk
Legendary Sri Lankan bowler Muttiah Muralitharan has expressed concerns about the future of Test cricket and believes his record of 800 wickets may never be broken. The off-spinner, who holds the title for the most wickets taken in Test cricket history, highlighted the growing focus on shorter formats, such as T20 and ODIs, which has affected players’ ability to achieve long-term consistency in Test matches.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Muralitharan admitted that the increasing popularity of shorter formats has made it unlikely that any current or future bowler will surpass his record. “I am definitely worried about Test cricket,” he said. “Every country will play maybe only six or seven Test matches. England and Australia might play the Ashes, but in some other countries, not many people are watching.”
Muralitharan, whose Test career spanned two decades, attributed his record to longevity, something he believes will be hard for modern cricketers to achieve. “It’s very hard [for someone to surpass 800 Test wickets], because emphasis has shifted to short-form cricket. Also, we played for 20 years. Careers are shorter now,” he explained.
Closest Challengers and Rising Concerns
The closest active bowlers to Muralitharan’s total are Australia’s Nathan Lyon, with 530 wickets, and India’s Ravichandran Ashwin, with 516 wickets. However, Lyon, 36, and Ashwin, 37, are both nearing the ends of their careers and are unlikely to reach the 800-wicket milestone before retirement. England’s James Anderson recently retired with 704 wickets, making him the third-highest wicket-taker of all time.
Among younger players, South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada has the most Test wickets under the age of 30, with 299. Muralitharan, however, points out that consistency remains a challenge for today’s bowlers. “It’s not about how good they are, because they all are talented. The only thing is how can they become experienced? Nowadays, it’s difficult. There are too many tournaments and things in their heads,” he added.
Decline of Test Cricket in Sri Lanka
Muralitharan also voiced concerns over the decline of Test cricket in his home country, Sri Lanka. Once a powerhouse in the format, the country has seen a decrease in both viewership and performance, particularly after the retirement of key players like Muralitharan, Mahela Jayawardene, and Kumar Sangakkara.
In a recently concluded Test series between England and Sri Lanka, England emerged victorious with a 2-1 series win. However, Sri Lanka managed to finish the series on a positive note with an eight-wicket victory in the final match.
As the future of Test cricket remains uncertain, Muralitharan’s record may stand the test of time, symbolizing an era where endurance, skill, and consistency over two decades led to one of the sport’s most remarkable achievements.
