While Sachin Tendulkar's 2013 farewell became a national pilgrimage, a vibrant celebration befitting a cricketing deity, the exits of many other Indian icons this century have been quieter journeys into the twilight.
Kiwi star Brendon McCullum must have given nightmare to many bowlers around the world during his international playing days. The former New Zealand captain, who recently retired from international cricket, named the four toughest bowlers he found difficult to face against during his 14-year dream career. "Murali (Sri Lanka champion Muthiah Muralitharan) was always, for me, incredibly difficult to face, mainly because you had no idea which way it was spinning," McCullum told Star Sports. "Brad Hogg, as well, because of his uncanny bowling action and his ability to turn it both ways. "I think Brett Lee when he was in his pomp. He was fast, wasn't he? "And probably Mitchell Starc too of more recent times."
The two are among eight Sri Lankans who have signed up with the BCCI's Indian Premier League.
India, replying to Sri Lanka's 600-6 declared, were in trouble at 159-6 at close on Day 3 of the first Test.
Younis Khan scored a triple century to help Pakistan to 574 for five at close on the fourth day of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Karachi on Tuesday. The hosts are now just 70 runs adrift of the visitor's first innings score.
Test skipper Anil Kumble has come out strongly in defence of the starry Indian middle-order batsmen who came a cropper against the Sri Lankan spin duo of Ajantha Mendis and Muthiah Muralitharan in the recently concluded three-match series in the Emerald Isle which the visitors lost 2-1.
'Such is his aura, whenever anyone mentions Sri Lankan cricket his name immediately springs to mind,' the former Australian skipper said.\n\n
Sri Lankan spin wizard Muthiah Muralitharan says he is "proud" to play for Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League as the son-in-law of Tamil Nadu. "My ancestors hail from Tamil Nadu and my wife is from Chennai," he said on Tuesday. "That way it is a privilege for me to be playing for a team from this place," added the world's leading wicket-taker, who has 735 wickets in 120 Tests."
Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene said his team is undaunted by India's 3-1 victory over the West Indies.
The complete report into the examination of Muthiah Muralitharan's doosra. A rediff.com exclusive.
Chris Broad had reported Sri Lanka spinner Muthiah Muralitharan for suspect action.
Former Pakistan off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq says it is a shame that leading finger spinners were banned from bowling the 'doosra'.
The world Test wickets record holder is the first Sri Lankan to engage an Indian company to handle his commercial interests.
Mumbai beat Sri Lanka by three wickets with a ball to spare in the warm-up game on Saturday
The former off-spin ace said it is unfair to haul up the Sri Lankan offie now when he is on the verge of making history.\n\n
'Pakistan played well in the latter part of the Australia tour and will be very difficult opposition to face,' says Bangladesh batting sensation Mohammad Ashraful.
The former India captain said there are quite a few bowlers who are no different from the Sri Lanka spin ace.
Kapil Dev has bagged the International Cricketer of the Century award.
'Given that they are playing at home and will have full crowd support, India, who are in peak form and whose morale is high, will be the favourites.'
The former Australia captain said the umpires are the best to adjudicate the legality of the off-spinner's bowling action.
Harbhajan Singh said it was unfair to question Muralitharan after he had perched himself as the highest Test wicket-taker.
The exciting young Hyderabad opening batsman discusses his game and the India 'A' tour of England.
'If you have a partnership then you can build on. I think it was the partnership which was important' 'If the margin of defeat was less it would have been better'
'For the Tamil Nadu protestors to openly ask popular film actor Vijay Sethupathi not to don Murali in 800 is a travesty in every sense. It may have given them a cause to tell the world, and the governments in New Delhi, Colombo and Chennai, that the Sri Lankan ethnic issue was still alive in the state -- more so, during the current run-up to two major events in the first half of 2021,' says N Sathiya Moorthy.
When South Africa lost to India on Sunday, they cemented their reputation for 'choking' in ICC tournaments. Rajneesh Gupta tells us why South Africa's record for freezing in important ICC contests is, alas, well deserved.
Rajneesh Gupta highlights all the important numbers from cricket World Cups held between 1975 to 2015.
He along with Sunrisers' bowling coach and spin legend Muthiah Muralitharan were seen engaging in an intense planning from the dug-out when Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers were batting in full-flow at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Tuesday. Sunrisers batting coach VVS Laxman may be disappointed with his team's defeat in the first game of IPL 9, but the legendary Indian batsman had special praise for U-19 star and RCB finisher Sarfaraz Khan. Laxman also feels that it was Sarfaraz, who took the game away from them, when the 'enormously talented' Mustafizur Rahman had pulled it back by dismissing AB and Watson in quick succession. Here is what Laxman had to say after the match.
'When cricketers, coaches, captains, managers, franchise owners focus on the prize, they forget the process.' 'You can't win every game. Getting better is all about making mistakes.'
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