Former Sri Lankan Cricket Captain Kumar Sangakkara in an interview with Indian Cricketer R Ashwin revealed an interesting conversation he had with Spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan before his last Test match.
“He was 8 wickets away from 800. 800 Test wickets, as we all know is an incredible amount. He said he wanted to retire in the India series and I was the captain. I sat with the selectors and said, he wants to retire after the 1st Test. It’s not going to happen. We got to get him to get those 8 wickets and retire. So we called Murali into a meeting,”
“Murali looked at us and said ‘you know what? That is not going to work for you or for me. I have always loved challenges and if I am supposed to be the best spinner, I should be able to take 8 wickets at Galle against any side,”
“I said ‘Murali, we know you like taking up challenges. But think of it this way. It’s a tragedy if you come so close and don’t get your 800. So you can play the 1st Test, and then if you are too tire or have a niggle, take the 2nd Test off and you come back for the 3rd Test. Or you can take 2 Tests off and come back for the next series.
“’And If I take 8 wickets, I am not just going to get my 800, we are going to win this Test match as well. If I can’t get it, I can’t get it. So this is my last Test. Thank You very much, I am going to take 8 wickets.’
“I was seated then and I was thinking, that’s the kind of champion the guy was,” Sangakkara said.
Muralidaran took 8 wickets in his final match to become the first bowler in the world to take 800 Test wickets.
Sri Lanka also won the match comfortably by 10 wickets.