“Enakku eppavume ennoda nattukkaga vilayadurathu romba pidikkum (I always love to play for my country),” Muttiah Muralidaran responded in chaste Tamil to a student’s query in Tamil, making it clear to the audience his penchant for paying back in the same coin.
On a whirlwind visit to the Velammal group of educational institutions in Madurai, he had time to share his experiences. A man of steely nerve, he strongly believes in having confidence — something he himself doesn’t lack.
Having spent hours on the ground to perfect his skills, he says that a bowler can call himself successful even if he is able to achieve 60 percent success at the international level. “My success rate is between 60 to 80 per cent that is why I have been able to make a mark at the international level,” he says, recalling his first international wicket at Khettarama Stadium when he had Australian Criag McDermott leg before wicket.
His phenomenal success all over the world irrespective of the nature of the tracks speaks volumes of his ability as spinner, probably that made the Sri Lankan manager Duleep Mendis claim that Murali can turn the ball even on concrete. “Adaptation is what matters the most. When you play outside your country the condition and pitch are different. But ultimately, the contest is between the bat and the ball. If your basics are strong and you stick to it, no matter where you play, definitely you will get the desired results,” the world’s highest wicket taker, both in Tests and ODIs, sounds very optimistic.
Besides being a strike bowler and spearheading the Sri Lankan attack many a time, Murali was always known to be a sparkling fielder anywhere on the cricket ground.
In fact, the Sri Lankan team on the whole has earned a name as a good fielding unit. “Ours is a small country with all cricketing activities happening in Colombo. Hence, the members of the national team have the opportunity to spend time together and play together for most part of the year. Player interaction is more that is why we were able to shine well,” he says.
Fielding two off-spinners is not an offence in cricket if they are good enough, he says, and hopes that Harbhajan Singh will make a strong come back. “Injury has kept Harbhajan away from cricket for a brief period. No way can a quality spinner like him be sidelined.” He also feels that there is a healthy competition for the spinners’ place in Indian team with Ashwin playing well. “I have played with him in the IPL and he has plenty of variations. But he has to concentrate on his strengths and he will surely go places,” he commended Ashwin. Murali also praised Ajantha Mendis and Ajmal and believes they will make a mark.
Commenting on Sri Lankan cricket, he said Mahela Jayawardene was always a shrewd captain and hoped the team would do well under his captaincy.
Now that he has accomplished his bowling targets, his next goal is to train students. “I am working closely with Anil Kumble and we have evolved a 10-week programme for school students in India and Sri Lanka. The programme will concentrate on honing the skills of the student. Every move of the child on the cricketing field while bowling and batting will be videographed and analysed. The results will be online and every parent will be given a password to view their children’s progress. Initially, we are planning to impart training for 120 students per school with 30 students each in four categories, under-13, 15, 17 and 19. We will provide a qualified coach, and the expenses per child would be less Rs. 2,000 a month,” he says.
Though not a film buff, he likes to watch Rajini Kanth’s movies during free time. The Kolaveri fever has also caught him as he feels that the song has a lot of energy in it. “My son loves it and I too like the song,” he signs off.
