In the final over of his Test career, Muttiah Muralitharan took his 800th wicket — dismissing Pragyan Ojha off the last ball to finish his career on the most unimaginable round number in bowling history.
Muralitharan had announced the second Colombo Test against India would be his last. He had 799 wickets going into the final day. India's second innings was in progress. Murali needed one more wicket to become the only bowler in history to reach 800 Test wickets — a number so far above Shane Warne's 708 that it may never be approached.
India were batting on the final day. Murali bowled through the morning. By the afternoon he had his 799th wicket. One more was needed. The entire Colombo crowd chanted his name over his last few overs. Muralitharan was visibly emotional.
The final over of his career. Muralitharan came in to bowl. He dismissed Pragyan Ojha off the last ball — caught by Tillakaratne Dilshan at slip. 800 wickets. Final ball of his career. Murali was mobbed by his teammates.
The timing — last ball, round number, home ground, home crowd — was almost impossibly cinematic. When Muralitharan raised his fingers in celebration and was lifted by Sangakkara, tears were visible on his face.
Sri Lanka went on to win the match. Muralitharan retired with 800 wickets at 22.72 apiece — an average that, combined with the volume, puts him in a category of bowling achievement no other player occupies.
Murali bowling with 799 wickets — the entire ground aware of what was needed
Last ball of his career — Ojha caught by Dilshan at slip
800 wickets, final ball of career — the most scripted ending in cricket history
Before final Test
Muralitharan announces the Colombo vs India Test will be his last
Final day morning
Murali takes his 799th wicket — needs one more
Final over, last ball
Ojha caught Dilshan — 800th wicket, career ends
Sri Lanka won the Test and the series. Muralitharan moved into coaching, mentoring Sri Lanka's next generation of spinners. He has been voted the greatest cricketer of the 20th century in various polls, though Shane Warne supporters argue the debate is still open.
The most perfectly timed retirement in cricket history. 800 wickets off the last ball of your last over defies statistical probability — yet it happened, live on television, in front of the entire cricket world. Murali's career is the greatest bowling achievement in the history of the game.
800 is cricket's most improbable bowling number. Warne's 708 seemed unreachable — Murali is 92 beyond that. No active bowler has more than 600 Test wickets. The 800 may stand for as long as Lara's 400 — generations.
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