On This Day: Muttiah Muralitharan Picked His 800th Test Wicket

In 2010, the top spinner Murli needed just 8 wickets to become the first bowler to take 800 wickets when he declared his decision to quit Test cricket before starting the first test against India. Twelve years ago, Muttiah Muralitharan became the first and still the only player to amass 800 wickets in Test cricket. Although it is said that records are meant to be broken, Murali’s accomplishment may be too high for anyone to reach. Here’s celebrating one of the most remarkable feats in Test Cricket.

In the first test of the three-match Test series at Galle, the Sri Lankan spinning master trounced their northern opponents, India. The situation was out of a Bollywood movie. Murali only needed one wicket to reach the milestone after taking seven wickets in the Test match. But by the end of the second innings, India was already nine down. Since the legendary cricketer had previously indicated before the series began that he would be retiring after the first Test, there was uncertainty as to whether Murali would achieve the 800 wickets mark.

Murali picked up his first wicket of the game on day 3, Tendulkar, who was declared LBW with a score of 8. He moved closer to 800 wickets by the end of the third day of the game. The Indian team’s batting performance failed the following day, as the team was dismissed for 276 runs. With his 67th five-wicket haul, Murali ended the innings and was just 3 wickets away from reaching 800 test wickets.

India had to follow through. The following day, the side scored 181 runs at the loss of 5 wickets, including one that was taken by Murli.

Murali just needed two wickets on the final day of the test match (July 22, 2010)—he already had 798—to surpass the milestone of 800 test wickets. But because the accomplishment was so significant, the story also featured more unexpected turns than normal.

Murali still needed one more wicket to reach 800 when Laxman was run out as the ninth wicket, and many worried that he may be out at the opportunity. To reach the milestone of 800 test wickets and bowl out the Indian side to end the game for Sri Lanka, he quickly had Pragyan Ojha caught in the slips. The HISTORY WAS MADE. The man took 800 Test Wickets. The feat that feels impossible to touch.

Muralitharan ended an illustrious international career by helping Sri Lanka win the game by 10 wickets. It took place, exactly twelve years ago, on this day.