Muttiah Muralitharan
268 matches · 9 Jan 2003 to 22 May 2014
- Born
- 17 Apr 1972, Kandy
- Age
- 54 years
- Role
- Bowler
- Batting
- Right-handed
- Bowling
- Right-arm off break
Deshabandu Muttiah Muralitharan (born 17 April 1972) is a Sri Lankan cricket coach, businessman and former professional cricketer. Averaging over six wickets per Test match, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. He is the only bowler to take 800 Test wickets and more than 530 One Day International (ODI) wickets. As of 2026, he has taken more wickets in international cricket than any other bowler. Muralitharan was a part of the Sri Lankan team that won the 1996 Cricket World Cup and the team which was joint-winners with India of the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy.
Muralitharan's international career was beset by controversy over his bowling action. Due to an unusual hyperextension of his congenitally bent arm during delivery, his bowling action was called into question on a number of occasions by umpires and sections of the cricket community. After biomechanical analysis under simulated playing conditions, Muralitharan's action was cleared by the International Cricket Council, first in 1996 and again in 1999.
Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Photo: Unknown author · CC BY 3.0.
Muttiah Muralitharan: career summary
Muttiah Muralitharan is a bowler from Sri Lanka, born on 17 Apr 1972 in Kandy. Muttiah Muralitharan has played 268 matches on CricInto's records, from 9 Jan 2003 to 22 May 2014, for Royal Challengers Bangalore, Melbourne Renegades, Jamaica Tallawahs, Chittagong Kings, Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Sri Lanka, Chennai Super Kings, ICC World XI and Asia XI.
In ODIs (126 matches, 2003–2011): 317 runs in 66 innings at an average of 7.37 and a strike rate of 83.64 (highest score 32); 190 wickets at an average of 24.10 and an economy rate of 4.09 (best 5/29). Only matches from 2002 on have ball-by-ball records, so the full career total is higher.
In the Indian Premier League (66 matches, 2008–2014): 20 runs in 9 innings at an average of 3.33 and a strike rate of 66.67 (highest score 6); 63 wickets at an average of 26.92 and an economy rate of 6.68 (best 3/11).
In Tests (38 matches, 2003–2010): 275 runs in 44 innings at an average of 8.59 and a strike rate of 77.46 (highest score 33); 243 wickets at an average of 22.85 and an economy rate of 2.79 (best 8/70).
Batting
| Competition | M | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Avg | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | 0s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 38 | 44 | 12 | 275 | 33 | 8.59 | 355 | 77.46 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 10 | 10 |
| ODI | 126 | 66 | 23 | 317 | 32 | 7.37 | 379 | 83.64 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 7 | 9 |
| T20I | 12 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.50 | 5 | 20.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Indian Premier League | 66 | 9 | 3 | 20 | 6 | 3.33 | 30 | 66.67 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Big Bash League | 16 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0.50 | 5 | 20.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Caribbean Premier League | 8 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0* | - | 1 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bangladesh Premier League | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 0 | - | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Bowling
| Competition | M | Inns | Overs | Runs | Wkts | BBI | Avg | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 38 | 70 | 1990.2 | 5552 | 243 | 8/70 | 22.85 | 2.79 | 49.14 | 9 | 21 |
| ODI | 126 | 124 | 1119.3 | 4579 | 190 | 5/29 | 24.10 | 4.09 | 35.35 | 7 | 2 |
| T20I | 12 | 12 | 47 | 297 | 13 | 3/29 | 22.85 | 6.32 | 21.69 | 0 | 0 |
| Indian Premier League | 66 | 66 | 254 | 1696 | 63 | 3/11 | 26.92 | 6.68 | 24.19 | 0 | 0 |
| Big Bash League | 16 | 16 | 61 | 348 | 19 | 3/18 | 18.32 | 5.70 | 19.26 | 0 | 0 |
| Caribbean Premier League | 8 | 8 | 31 | 180 | 10 | 3/12 | 18.00 | 5.81 | 18.60 | 0 | 0 |
| Bangladesh Premier League | 2 | 2 | 6 | 38 | 0 | 0/6 | - | 6.33 | - | 0 | 0 |
Recent matches
| Date | Match | Bat | Bowl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22 May 2014 | RCB vs KKR Indian Premier League | DNB | 0/19 (2) |
| 20 May 2014 | RCB vs SRH Indian Premier League | DNB | 0/26 (4) |
| 18 May 2014 | RCB vs CSK Indian Premier League | DNB | 1/29 (4) |
| 13 May 2014 | RCB vs DD Indian Premier League | DNB | 2/25 (4) |
| 24 Apr 2014 | RCB vs KKR Indian Premier League | DNB | 0/25 (2) |
| 22 Jan 2014 | MR vs AS Big Bash League | DNB | 2/16 (4) |
| 18 Jan 2014 | MR vs SS Big Bash League | DNB | 1/23 (4) |
| 14 Jan 2014 | MR vs ST Big Bash League | 0* (0) | 0/8 (2) |
| 4 Jan 2014 | MR vs MS Big Bash League | DNB | 0/30 (4) |
| 1 Jan 2014 | MR vs HH Big Bash League | DNB | 2/15 (3) |
Frequently asked questions
How many runs has Muttiah Muralitharan scored in ODIs?
Muttiah Muralitharan has scored 317 runs in ODIs, at an average of 7.37. Only matches from 2002 on have ball-by-ball records, so the full career total is higher.
How many wickets has Muttiah Muralitharan taken in ODIs?
Muttiah Muralitharan has taken 190 wickets in ODIs, with best figures of 5/29. Only matches from 2002 on have ball-by-ball records, so the full career total is higher.
How many runs has Muttiah Muralitharan scored in the Indian Premier League?
Muttiah Muralitharan has scored 20 runs in the Indian Premier League, at an average of 3.33.
How many wickets has Muttiah Muralitharan taken in the Indian Premier League?
Muttiah Muralitharan has taken 63 wickets in the Indian Premier League, with best figures of 3/11.
How many runs has Muttiah Muralitharan scored in Tests?
Muttiah Muralitharan has scored 275 runs in Tests, at an average of 8.59.
How many wickets has Muttiah Muralitharan taken in Tests?
Muttiah Muralitharan has taken 243 wickets in Tests, with best figures of 8/70.
What is Muttiah Muralitharan's highest score?
Muttiah Muralitharan's highest score is 33, in Tests.
How old is Muttiah Muralitharan?
Muttiah Muralitharan was born on 17 Apr 1972 in Kandy, and is 54 years old.
Which teams has Muttiah Muralitharan played for?
Royal Challengers Bangalore (2012–2014), Melbourne Renegades (2012–2014), Jamaica Tallawahs (2013), Chittagong Kings (2012), Kochi Tuskers Kerala (2011), Sri Lanka (2003–2011), Chennai Super Kings (2008–2010), ICC World XI (2005) and Asia XI (2005).