Muttiah Muralitharan Debut, Biography, Stats, Net Worth, Wife, IPL Team, Records, Career

By: Cricbites | September 25, 2025

When cricket fans talk about the greatest bowlers in history, Muttiah Muralitharan’s name inevitably comes at the top of the list. With 800 Test wickets and 534 ODI wickets, Murali is not only a Sri Lankan legend but a global icon who has redefined the art of spin bowling. However, his journey has been as magical as it has been controversial. Controversies over his bowling action and constant mockery by officials have always been with him. Yet, his statistics, impact and consistency over almost two decades make him one of the greatest cricketers of all time.

In this blog, we will talk in depth about Muralitharan’s debut, biography, career highlights, records, IPL tenure, personal life and net worth.

Early Life and Biography

Full Name: Muttiah Muralitharan
Date of Birth: April 17, 1972
Birthplace: Kandy, Sri Lanka
Height: 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Nationality: Sri Lankan
Role: Right-arm off-break bowler
Batting Style: Right-handed lower-order batter

Muralitharan came from a Tamil family living in Kandy, Sri Lanka. His family ran a confectionery business, but his real name was Cricket. He first came to the attention of Allan Border in a tour game against Australia in 1992–93. At the time, he was one of the best batsmen of his generation and he failed to read his balls.

His bowling style was unique. His ultra-flexible wrists, shoulder rotation and elbow flexion allowed him to spin the ball more than any old finger-spinner. With the addition of his infamous doosra, which went the other way, Murali became almost unplayable for batsmen around the world.

International Debut

Test Debut: August 28, 1992, vs Australia at Colombo
ODI Debut: August 12, 1993, vs India at Colombo
T20I Debut: August 22, 2006, vs South Africa at Johannesburg

Murali’s early days were promising, but by the mid-1990s he had established himself as a standard-bearer for Sri Lanka. With the help of captain Anunnaki Ranatunga, he had escaped criticism for his bowling action. Later, he achieved a more authoritative status with a spin-like structure.

Career Stats

Bowling

Format	Mat	Inns	Balls	Runs	Wkts	BBI	BBM	Ave	Econ	SR	4w	5w	10w
Tests	133	230	44,039	18,180	800	9/51	16/220	22.72	2.47	55.0	45	67	22
ODIs	350	341	18,811	12,326	534	7/30	7/30	23.08	3.93	35.2	15	10	0
T20Is	12	12	282	297	13	3/29	3/29	22.84	6.31	21.6	0	0	0
FC	232	–	66,933	26,997	1374	9/51	–	19.64	2.42	48.7	–	119	34
List A	453	–	23,734	15,270	682	7/30	7/30	22.39	3.86	34.8	17	12	0
T20s	164	164	3,705	3,945	179	4/16	4/16	22.03	6.38	20.6	3	0	0

Batting & Fielding

Format	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	BF	SR	100s	50s	4s	6s	Ct	St
Tests	133	164	56	1261	67	11.67	1794	70.28	0	1	146	29	72	0
ODIs	350	162	63	674	33*	6.80	869	77.56	0	0	50	12	130	0
T20Is	12	2	0	1	1	0.50	5	20.00	0	0	0	0	1	0
FC	232	276	83	2192	67	11.35	–	–	0	1	–	–	123	0
List A	453	205	76	945	33*	7.32	–	–	0	0	–	–	159	0
T20s	164	38	14	81	11	3.37	110

Controversies and Challenges

Muralitharan’s action was called into question multiple times:

1995: Umpire Darrell Hair called him for “throwing” during the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.
1999: Ross Emerson no-balled him again in an ODI.
2004: The ICC asked him to stop bowling the doosra after testing showed it exceeded the 15-degree tolerance.

To silence critics, Murali even bowled on television wearing a special cast. He ends up proving that his action was natural and due to his elbow deformity and unique physiology.

Despite the controversies, Murali never lost his trademark smile and played excellently.

IPL Career

Muttiah Muralitharan was also part of the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he showcased his magic against the world’s best batters.

IPL Debut: 2008 with Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
Other Teams: Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
IPL Matches: 66
Wickets: 63
Best Bowling: 3/11
Economy Rate: 6.67

His economical spells and wicket-taking ability made him an asset in the IPL, particularly during its initial seasons.

Records and Achievements

Most Test wickets: 800 (world record)
Most wickets in international cricket: 1347
Most 5-wicket hauls in Tests: 67
Most 10-wicket hauls in Tests: 22
First bowler to take 100 Test wickets against three nations (India, England, South Africa)
1996 ICC Cricket World Cup winner with Sri Lanka
ICC Test Player of the Year: 2006, 2007
Wisden Cricketer of the Year: 1999

Muralitharan’s ability to average less than 30 with the ball in every country except India.

Personal Life: Wife and Family

Muttiah Muralitharan married Madhimalar Ramamurthy in 2005. She is the daughter of prominent Indian businessmen from Chennai. The couple has a son named Naren.

Despite his fame, Murali has always maintained a humble and modest lifestyle. He is often involved in philanthropy. After the devastating tsunami of 2004, he was one of the key figures leading the reconstruction efforts in Sri Lanka.

As a Tamil cricketer in a team dominated by Sinhalese players, Murali also played a key role in uniting communities. He did this work during a time of ethnic tension in Sri Lanka.

Net Worth

As of 2025, Muttiah Muralitharan’s net worth is around $12-15 million (₹100-120 crore).

Sources of Income:

- Sri Lanka Cricket (international contracts)
- IPL contracts (CSK, RCB, KXIP)
- Endorsements (Pepsi, Reebok, etc.)
- Coaching stints (RCB bowling coach, Sunrisers Hyderabad mentor)
- Business ventures and commentary roles

Murali continues to earn from coaching assignments and cricket-related ventures even after retirement.

Legacy and Impact

Muralitharan was not just a bowler, but he was also an entertainer, a fighter and a unifier for Sri Lanka. His ability to bowl marathon spells, sometimes bowling more than 50 overs in a single innings, reflected his stamina and passion.

He was also part of Sri Lanka’s most iconic cricket moments, including:

1996 World Cup triumph
1998 win at The Oval vs England (16 wickets in the match)
2007 World Cup Final appearance

Beyond cricket, his charity work and humility have made him a role model for future generations.

Conclusion

Muttiah Muralitharan is a man of talent, determination and resilience. Despite constant doubts and criticism, he emerged as one of the greatest bowlers in cricket history. His record may one day be answered, but his legacy as a comic character will always remain.

From a boy from Kandy to a cricketing legend who played 800 Test cricket matches, his legacy shows that even the most determined can overcome adversity.

FAQs

Q1. When did Muttiah Muralitharan make his international debut?

Muralitharan made his Test debut against Australia in Colombo in August 1992 and his ODI debut against India the same year. He later participated in the early days of Twenty20 International cricket, playing his first T20 International match against New Zealand in 2006.

Q2. How many wickets did Muralitharan take in international cricket?

Muralitharan holds the record for the most wickets in international cricket with 1347. He has achieved this feat across various formats, including 800 in Tests, 534 in ODIs and 13 in T20Is.

Q3. What controversies surrounded Muralitharan’s bowling action?

His bowling action was often under scrutiny, with umpires such as Darrell Hair and Ross Emerson calling him out for “throws”. Later biomechanical tests confirmed that the unusual movement of his arm was due to a naturally deformed elbow.

Q4. Did Muttiah Muralitharan play in the IPL?

Yes, Muralitharan played in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He played for CSK (2008–2010), Kochi Tuskers Kerala (2011), and Royal Challengers Bangalore (2012–2014). In 66 IPL appearances, he took 63 wickets with best figures of 3/11.

Q5. What is Muttiah Muralitharan’s net worth and what does he do post-retirement?

As of 2025, Muralitharan’s net worth is between $15–20 million, earned through cricket, IPL contracts, and endorsements. After retirement, he has worked as a bowling coach in the IPL (Sunrisers Hyderabad).