The first and only man in cricketing history to capture 800 wickets Muttiah Muralitharan sits down with Hi!! for an informal chat about Life after retiring from Test Cricket
If it’s one thing we know about Muttiah Muralitharan , or Murali as he is fondly known across the globe, is his insatiable hunger to be where the action happens, doing what he does best; playing cricket with passion. Most often than not Murali, the livewire behind the team just so happens to be the reason behind all the action whether it’s with his magical doosra’s or his entertaining batting moves. He’s in it to win it.
However, with the announcement of his retirement Murali seems quite content with his new role as a ‘hands on’ dad to his four –and- a- half- year- old, a ball of mischief Naren. “Now that I have retired from test cricket I will spend more time with my son Naren. I’ve got time to relax. I enjoy watching Tamil movies; I’m not very familiar with names but I watch whatever that goes on TV. I love animated movies as well.”
Murali, a record breaking legend who changed the face of cricket, speaks of his achievements with such humility, that I was certainly taken aback. To us, the ordinary Sri Lankans and cricket fans, these records are symbolic of his strength, determination, courage and will power to excel as a cricketer and bring glory to his team. “I’m not going to deny that I’m happy about breaking all these records, but playing cricket is a profession to me, I enjoy the game and the records just happen because I’ve been playing for so long. It’s nice to have these records, I didn’t aim for it, but it’s certainly an honour to have them.”
Murali’s never say die attitude paved the way for him to be the world’s greatest spin blower. He was inexhaustible, this is what inspired him to play great cricket and become a role model and ambassador of the game. “What drove me to be where I am today is my talent, hard work and determination. My first coach Sunil Fernando molded me with my bowling and batting and I’m forever grateful to him. I love the game a lot. You have to believe in yourself and then you will see results.”
The master of spin who weaved his magic in all three formats of the game be it test cricket, ODI’s or even the more exuberant T -20 says that he loves test cricket because of its unique format and the fact that it requires a lot hard work. However he adds that T-20 is a great spectator sport, which he loves to play as well. “Controversies have plagued your career. But you’ve always proved the pundits wrong and shown the world that you’re a better man. Does criticism affect you at all and how do you deal with all the brickbats thrown at you and still keep on smiling?” I ask.
“In life there are moments of happiness and sadness; we have to learn to stay the same. I don’t get upset for the criticism. I have a short temper but it’s like a fuse and it goes off really fast. I was in the hostel from 6 to 18 years, so I learnt how to give and take, forgive and forget and learnt to keep smiling throughout moments of happiness or sadness. When someone criticizes you, don’t fight back, don’t say anything, if you have to say something let them go on and on criticizing you, after they have finished just say one word that counteracts all what they say. Even if I do get upset, I won’t show it to the world.”
I asked if there would ever be another Murali in the Sri Lankan cricket team, a world class spin blower who could take his place or at least come close to emulating him. Murali simply smiles and replies “We have a lot of people who have great potential; I can’t name anyone in particular, but who ever has gotten into the team, has got there because they have potential.”
“Will there be a spin prodigy in world cricket after Murali? Will he break the record Murali has set?” is the question looming in every cricket fans mind. The legend himself answers “Statistically, the next bowler in line is Harbajan Singh, he is a good bowler. There is a possibility he could break my records, records are meant to be broken, aren’t they?”
“Why was Brian Lara so hard to outsmart in the field?” I ask, a question posed by a cricket crazy friend of mine. To which Murali replied “Brian Lara is a great batsman, so is Sachin in that sense. I think it all depends on how we play the game on the field that day, some days they get the better of me, and some days I get the better of them.”
I simply couldn’t simply resist asking. “Is the Sri Lankan team ready for the 2011 World Cup? Do we have the potential to win it?”
“We are ready for the World Cup, but it’s too soon to say if we have the potential to win because there are six months to go, it also depends on luck and how well the team plays on that particular day.”
There are talks going around in the media about Anil Kumble and you starting a spin-bowling academy, possibly in Bangalore. Is it true?
“Anil is planning to have an academy, I said I’ll help but it’s still at its initial stages.”
Will you be continuing in the other formats of the game even though you’ve retired from test cricket?
“I hope to continue with T 20 cricket and also play county cricket in England.”
Murali played an integral part in the Sri Lanka cricket team, while the country went through rough patches due to the three decades of civil war. “Did your ethnicity ever become an obstacle when playing the game?” I query.
“Being a Tamil has never been an issue for me. Even during the 83 riots I was in the hostel and I wasn’t affected. These politicians are the ones who create these racial segregations. Ordinary people don’t care about these things. Thankfully the President has put an end to this and we will learn to live as one big family.” I backtrack a bit and ask him about Shane Warne, the Australian spin wizard who’s never lost for words when discussing about Murali. “Shane Warne is a legendary bowler and we have a cordial friendship. When the tsunami occurred in 2004 I requested him to come to the country and he accepted my invitation and visited the country. With his support I was able to get a lot of donors to help tsunami- affected people.”
Warne, who is second to Muralitharan in the all-time list with his haul of 708 wickets, was quoted as telling Sky Sports “I don't think anyone will get there, so well done to Murali for getting his 800. The way he's gone about it has been amazing. There's been a lot of controversy about his action but at the end of the day the ICC (International Cricket Council) cleared him, he's allowed to play and what he did with the ball was amazing. He had added “To face it was quite difficult, especially in those spinning conditions in Sri Lanka. We always kept an eye on each other. There was a lot to like about Murali, he always had a smile on his face and he always seemed to be enjoying his cricket. I admired him from a distance and when we played against each other we always tried to outdo each other. It was more about Australia and Sri Lanka but it was good fun the little battle within the big battle." - Telegraph. Co .uk
Murali moves on to speak about charity which is also very close to his heart.
“Charity is very important to me; I think we should help others. I think I’ve been blessed and money has never been an issue, not that I had a lavish life. But I had no financial problems because of my father’s business. After winning the 1996 World Cup, people started taking notice of Sri Lankan cricket; there was a turn around and the money was good. So, I think I have to repay to society in some small way. I’ve been involved in a lot charity work with the Foundation of Goodness where we build homes for underprivileged children in Seenigama. We’ve built 1000 homes so far. Now, I’ve got the green light to build the same village in Mankulam , the President has given 50 acres of land for this purpose. Within 2 ½ years we will build this; it will also have a cricket ground for the kids.”
Before saying my thanks and good byes to the cricketing great, I ask him who his favorite cricketer is and his favorite cricketing venue.
“Vivian Richards is my favourite cricketer of all time and in the case of the venue it has to be Galle, because I’ve been very successful there.”
“What’s top on your priority list as of now that cricket has taken a back seat?” I probe. “Now that I’m married and with a wife and kid my first priority is my family. Those days when I was a bachelor it was like I was floating in the air, now my son’s education is the most important thing for me.”
Murali’s parting words were dedicated to the legion of his fans across the globe that has stood by him through thick and thin. “I want to thank the fans for all their support; without them the game of cricket wouldn’t exist. Spectators are the ones who make the game possible. I owe so much to them for all the support.”
Murali’s better half Madhi speaks…
It’s great to have him at home, I’m enjoying his presence but sometimes it’s like having two Narens at home. All I can hear is the constant screams ‘mama’ and ‘Madhi” she says laughingly.
When she was proposed to Murali, she had no expectations and only a vague memory of her dad once calling Murali a dangerous bowler and now being the cricketing legend’s wife she has learnt to take everything in her stride.
Madhi was never interested in cricket she confessed but now she’s always at the edge of her seat when her husband’s in the field bowling. “I’m happy about all his records and achievements. It’s not been an easy road for him. I still get nervous when a batsman gets a four or a six off his delivery.”
It’s Murali’s turn to talk of his loving wife “Madhi has been really supportive and helpful. But I never listen to her especially when it comes to clothes, I want to wear what’s comfortable but she’s very particular about her attire so is Naren. He’s just like his mother.”
Madhi quips in with a twinkle, “please mention that he is very dominant, ok.”
Naren, their son is a replica of the father the mere mention of cricket makes his eyes shimmer, and he’s in full gear showing off his blowing and batting skills.
“Naren loves his cricketing equipment and has a great sense of hand and eye coordination. “I’m ok with anything he chooses to do,” said Madhi while Murali added when questioned if he’d like to see his son following his footsteps. “He loves playing cricket but I won’t force him .I’ll let him do what ever he pleases but I’d really like to see him play cricket at least at school level.”