Muttiah Muralitharan Records & Statistics
The Greatest Wicket-Taker in Cricket History
Muttiah Muralitharan is widely regarded as the greatest spin bowler in cricket history. With an unmatched 1,347 international wickets, Muralitharan holds the records for the most wickets in both Test and ODI cricket.
Known for his extraordinary spin, variations, and consistency, he dominated world cricket for nearly two decades and played a key role in establishing Sri Lanka as a cricketing powerhouse.
Quick Profile
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Deshabandu Muttiah Muralitharan |
| Date of Birth | 17 April 1972 |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Bowling Style | Right-Arm Off Spin |
| Role | Bowler |
| International Career | 1992–2011 |
| Nickname | Murali |
Career Highlights
Major Achievements
- Most wickets in international cricket (1,347)
- Most Test wickets (800)
- Most ODI wickets (534)
- Most Test five-wicket hauls (67)
- Most Test ten-wicket match hauls (22)
- ICC Cricket Hall of Fame inductee
International Career Statistics
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Average | Best Figures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 133 | 800 | 22.72 | 9/51 |
| ODIs | 350 | 534 | 23.08 | 7/30 |
| T20Is | 12 | 13 | 22.84 | 3/29 |
| International Total | 495 | 1,347 | 22.86 | — |
Test Cricket Records
Greatest Test Bowler Ever
| Record | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Most Test Wickets | 800 |
| Five-Wicket Hauls | 67 |
| Ten-Wicket Match Hauls | 22 |
| Best Bowling Figures | 9/51 |
| Matches Played | 133 |
Historic 800th Wicket
Muralitharan reached the incredible milestone of 800 Test wickets in his final Test match against India in 2010, a record that remains unmatched.
ODI Records
Most ODI Wickets
| Record | Achievement |
|---|---|
| ODI Wickets | 534 |
| Matches | 350 |
| Average | 23.08 |
| Best Figures | 7/30 |
| Economy Rate | 3.93 |
ODI Milestones
- First bowler to surpass 500 ODI wickets.
- Key member of Sri Lanka’s golden era.
- One of the most economical bowlers in ODI history.
World Cup Records
| Record | Achievement |
|---|---|
| World Cup Wickets | 68 |
| World Cups Played | 5 |
| Highest Tournament Wickets | 23 (2007) |
| World Cup Final Appearances | 2 |
World Cup Legacy
Muralitharan was a crucial member of Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup-winning squad and later helped the team reach multiple ICC finals.
Bowling Records
All-Time International Wicket Leaders
| Rank | Player | Wickets |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Muttiah Muralitharan | 1,347 |
| 2 | Shane Warne | 1,001 |
| 3 | James Anderson | 990+ |
| 4 | Anil Kumble | 956 |
| 5 | Glenn McGrath | 949 |
Test Five-Wicket Hauls
| Rank | Player | 5WI |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Muttiah Muralitharan | 67 |
| 2 | Shane Warne | 37 |
| 3 | Richard Hadlee | 36 |
| 4 | Anil Kumble | 35 |
| 5 | Rangana Herath | 34 |
Unique Records
| Record | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Most International Wickets | 1,347 |
| Most Test Wickets | 800 |
| Most ODI Wickets | 534 |
| Most Test Five-Fors | 67 |
| Most Test Ten-Fors | 22 |
| Fastest to 350 Test Wickets | Record Holder |
| Fastest to 400 Test Wickets | Record Holder |
| Fastest to 500 Test Wickets | Record Holder |
IPL Career
IPL Statistics
| Record | Achievement |
|---|---|
| IPL Team | Chennai Super Kings |
| Matches | 66 |
| Wickets | 63 |
| Best Figures | 5/13 |
| IPL Titles | 3 |
IPL Success
Muralitharan played an important role for Chennai Super Kings during the early years of the IPL and later represented Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Kochi Tuskers Kerala.
Why Muralitharan Was Special
Extraordinary Spin
- Massive turn on all surfaces
- Exceptional control and accuracy
- Variety of deliveries
- Match-winning ability in all conditions
Consistency
- Dominated both home and away
- Maintained elite averages throughout his career
- Performed against every major cricket nation
Related Players
- Shane Warne
- Anil Kumble
- James Anderson
- Glenn McGrath
- Rangana Herath
- Ravichandran Ashwin
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Wasim Akram
Latest Legacy
Benchmark for Spin Bowling
Muralitharan’s records continue to be the gold standard for spin bowlers worldwide. Modern stars frequently cite him as one of their biggest inspirations.
Influence on Sri Lankan Cricket
His achievements helped transform Sri Lanka into one of the most competitive teams in world cricket.
Interesting Facts
- Only bowler with 800 Test wickets.
- Only bowler with over 1,300 international wickets.
- Took 67 five-wicket hauls in Tests.
- Member of Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup-winning squad.
- Inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame.
FAQs
Who is Muttiah Muralitharan?
Muttiah Muralitharan is a former Sri Lankan off-spinner and the highest wicket-taker in cricket history.
How many international wickets did Muralitharan take?
1,347 wickets across all international formats.
How many Test wickets did Muralitharan take?
A world-record 800 Test wickets.
How many ODI wickets did Muralitharan take?
534 wickets, the most in ODI cricket history.
What is Muralitharan’s best Test bowling figure?
9 wickets for 51 runs.
How many five-wicket hauls did Muralitharan take in Tests?
A record 67 five-wicket hauls.
Did Muralitharan win the Cricket World Cup?
Yes, he was part of Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup-winning team.
Who comes closest to Muralitharan’s wicket record?
Shane Warne with 1,001 international wickets.