Muttiah Muralitharan (lang-ta???????? ?????????, Sinhala (Sinhala language): ????????? ?????????, born 17 April 1972 in Kandy, Sri Lanka), often referred to as Murali, is a Sri Lankan cricketer who was rated the greatest Test match (Test cricket) bowler (bowler (cricket)) ever by Wisden Cricketers Almanack in 2002. cite weburl=title=Murali best bowler ever publisher=BBC Sport date=2002-12-13 accessdate=2007-12-14 location=London

Muralitharan is the highest wicket-taker in both Test cricket and in One Day Internationals (ODIs). He took the wicket of Gautam Gambhir on 5 February 2009 in Colombo, to surpass Wasim Akrams ODI (One Day International) record of 502 wickets. Muralitharan became the highest wicket-taker in Test cricket when he overtook the previous record-holder Shane Warne on 3 December 2007 in the longer version of the game. Muralitharan had previously held the record when he surpassed Courtney Walshs 519 wickets in 2004. But he suffered a shoulder injury later that year and was then overtaken by Warne.

Averaging over six wickets per Test, Muralitharan is one of the most successful bowlers in the game. He plays domestic cricket for the Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club, and plays in the Indian Premier League for Chennai Super Kings.

Muralitharans career has been beset with controversy; his bowling action called into question on a number of occasions by umpires and sections of the cricket community. After biomechanical analysis in non-match conditions, Muralitharans action was cleared by the International Cricket Council, first in 1996 and again in 1999. The legality of his doosra was first called into question in 2004. This delivery was found to exceed the ICC elbow extension limit by nine degrees, five degrees being the limit for spinners at that time.cite newsurl=high-tech solution too late for Muralipublisher=The Daily Telegraph date=2007-11-14 accessdate=2008-03-09 Based on official studies into bowling actions, which revealed that 99% of all bowlers exceed the elbow flexion limits, ICC revised the limits applying to all bowlers in 2005. Muralitharans doosra falls within the revised limits.

In February 2009, after becoming cricket?s highest wicket-taker in both forms of the game Muttiah Muralitharan hinted that he may retire at the conclusion of the 2011 World Cup. He stated ?I think I am fit in my body and mind, I am enjoying my cricket and want to play more. But after the next World Cup, I will have nothing left to achieve in the game. The World Cup should mark the end of my career.? In July 2009 he confirmed that he would retire from Test cricket following Sri Lankas home series against the West Indies in November 2010, but would continue to represent his country in the one-day game until the World Cup in 2011.