‘No cricketer can ever be like this Indian legend’: Muttiah Muralitharan – Instances of India

NEW DELHI: Sri Lankan spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan has stated that Sachin Tendulkar was a “genius from day one” and no cricketer could be just like the Indian batting maestro.
Muralitharan, who has the best variety of wickets in worldwide cricket, advised ANI in an interview that the upcoming biopic ‘800’ will not be solely about his cricket but additionally about what occurred past the sport.
The bowling legend talked about his cricketing duels with Sachin on the pitch and the way he wished that the Indian batter obtained out shortly.
“No cricketer can ever be like Sachin. As a result of at 14 years of age, he obtained a first-class hundred, at 16 years of age he represented the nation, and on the age of 17, he obtained a century for them. That’s inconceivable.”
Muralitharan, who retired from worldwide Take a look at cricket in 2010, stated he performed underneath seven captains.
“See, I do know my talent. I additionally know what he (Sachin) will attempt to do. It’s a guess sport, like a chess sport. You pray that he will get out as shortly as attainable. I’ve performed underneath seven captains in 20 years. I’ll recall an incident from 2007. We (Sri Lanka), Bermuda, Bangladesh and India had been in the identical group (within the 2007 50-over World Cup). Solely two groups may go additional. We had been taking part in India. We thought Sachin was going to open within the match, however thank god, he batted at quantity 4. When Dilhara Fernando obtained his wicket, India misplaced whereas chasing 255,” he stated.
“Within the 1996 World Cup, the wicket used to show lots. When Sachin was batting (within the semis chasing 252), India was 70/1. It regarded like a batting wicket. However (after) he obtained out, India (workforce was lowered to) 120/7. He makes issues simpler than others, he performs like that. For us, getting him out was extra necessary. When he obtained out, the hopes of your entire India went down, however our hopes would go up,” he added.

Speaking about his relationship with Sachin, Muralitharan stated the Indian legend is a “down-to-earth” individual.
“As an excellent pal, I’d say he’s very all the way down to earth. I’ve by no means seen such a larger-than-life character, with a billion individuals anticipating a lot from him. Greater than a colleague, I’m additionally a fan. I used to be mesmerised by what he may do as a teen. It was unbelievable. I struggled for my first six to seven years once I began, solely within the latter half I cruised via. However Sachin was a genius from day one,” he stated.
Muralitharan, who retired from Checks in 2010, stated that when he requested Sachin about releasing the trailer of the film, the previous cricketer readily agreed.
“I additionally considered calling Jayasuriya (Sanath Jayasuriya, former Sri Lanka all-rounder who was current on the launch of the trailer) for the launch. He began out a bit sooner than me, however we completed collectively. He was great as a participant and captain. He modified the best way ODI cricket is performed,” he added.
Muralitharan stated the biopic ‘800’ talks about his achievement of wickets and the success of the Sri Lankan workforce in opposition to the chances.
“It is usually about what occurred past cricket. It talks about how I achieved that 800-wicket mark…how my nation went via a civil conflict, and the success of the Sri Lankan workforce. I’ve seen glimpses of the film. It comes out very nice, I hope individuals will take pleasure in it,” he stated.
Sachin and former Sri Lanka skipper Sanath Jayasuriya unveiled the trailer in Mumbai on September 5.
The biopic is about to be launched on October 6.
Member of the ICC Cricket Corridor of Fame, Muralitharan is extensively thought to be one of many best bowlers within the historical past of the game and is the one bowler to take 800 Take a look at wickets and 530+ ODI wickets. He’s additionally the best wicket-taker in each Take a look at and ODI codecs and averages over six wickets per Take a look at match.
Muralitharan dismissed Tendulkar 13 instances in his profession.