The Sri Lanka spinner said it was a key factor in him equalling the world record for Test wickets.
Sri Lankan legend Muttiah Muralitharan has said that he was shocked when umpire Darrell Hair called him seven times in three overs for his action in 1995.
Muttiah Muralitharan became the third bowler in history to claim 500 wickets as Sri Lanka bundled out Australia for 120 on the opening day of the second Test.
The highest Test wicket-taker was escorted by motorcade to the Sri Lanka Cricket Board headquarters.
Images from the fifth day's play in the first Test between Sri Lanka and India, in Galle, on Thursday.
Images from the Day 4 of the first Test between India and Sri Lanka in Galle.
Chennai Super Kings captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Monday lavished praise on retired Australian Matthew Hayden and Sri Lankan spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan for their efforts in the 92-run win over Bangalore Royal Challengers in Port Elizabeth.
Harbhajan Singh applauds Sri Lanka spin legend Muthiah Muralitharan, who will retire at the end of the first Test against India. He also assesses the team's chances in the island nation.
Rajneesh Gupta presents all the interesting numbers from Day 4 of the India-England Test at Leeds.
All-rounder Andrew Symonds has urged Australian crowds to applaud Muttiah Muralitharan if the controversial off-spinner breaks Shane Warne's test wickets record when Sri Lanka tour Down Under in November.
Bengal may be excited about having roped in Test cricket's leading wicket-taker Muttiah Muralitharan to revive its fortunes in the Ranji Trophy Plate League, but the Sri Lankan off-spinner says he is yet to sign a formal contract and his priority is his country. Speaking from Colombo on Tuesday, Muralitharan said he is still unsure about his availability though the Sri Lankan Cricket Board has given him a go-ahead.
Iconic batsman Sachin Tendulkar did not find a place in Kumar Sangakkara's list of all-time XI while Rahul Dravid was the lone Indian in the team selected by the former Sri Lankan skipper.
The Australian surgeon who operated on Muttiah Muralithan's shoulder said the Sri Lankan spinner's injury is not as bad as initially feared.
A spineless India slumped to their third heaviest Test defeat as Sri Lanka clinched the first Test by an innings and 239 runs with the spin combination of Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis plotting the visitors' downfall in Colombo on Saturday. After enforcing the follow-on, Muralitharan (6 for 26) and Mendis (4 for 60) tore through the Indian batting order to bundle out the visitors for a paltry 138 to record Sri Lanka's biggest victory at home with a day to spare.
Following are statistical highlights of opening day of the second Test between India and Sri Lanka played at Green Park Stadium in Kanpur
Matthew Hayden thinks Muralitharan accusing the Australian pace trio of chucking will not get him any favours in world cricket.
Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralitharan has been cleared to bowl his controversial "doosra" under a recommendation from an ICC committee.
The Sri Lankan off spinner is hopeful that the ban will soon be lifted following further research into spin bowling by the ICC.
Left-arm seamer Thilan Thushara and off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan shared six wickets to leave New Zealand struggling on 281 for eight on the third day of the first Test on Thursday.
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse said Muttiah Muralitharan is not only the pride of Sri Lanka but entire South Asia.
Muralitharan has been advised not to bowl his 'doosra' in international cricket.
The report from the University of Western Australia was sent with the observations of the bowling review group to the ICC.
Biomechanics experts have concluded Muttiah Muralitharan should be allowed to bowl his doosra even though his action exceeds official guidelines
Formed in 2013, Sunrisers Hyderabad have been one of the most consistent performers, having won the tournament in 2016 and finishing as runners up last year.
The ace spinner said Sri Lanka are still capable of coming hard at the Indians in the reminder of the ODI series.
The Lankans were 160-3 after their spinners bowled out Bangladesh for 188 in 44 overs on the first day of the first Test.
With the humiliating loss in Colombo still rankling the Indian cricket team, Indian opener Gautam Gambhir on Monday asserted that the visitors will find a way to tackle the menacing spin duo of Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis in the second cricket Test starting July 31 in Galle.
Spinners Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis bowled Sri Lanka to an innings and 239-run victory in the first Test against India on Saturday.
With the famed Indian batting order's reputation in tatters, a dejected India captain Anil Kumble on Saturday said his side will have to find ways to take on the Lankan spin duo of Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis if they have to come back in the second Test. Muralitharan and debutant Mendis shared 19 wickets between them to hand the Indians a humiliating innings and 239-run defeat in the first Test.
Sri Lanka off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan has passed himself fit to participate in the fundraising match for tsunami victims.
The Sri Lankan off spinner is suffering from general wear and tear, and a build up of fluid around a nerve.
The world's top two Test bowlers will go head-to-head during the Test series between Sri Lanka and South Africa
"I'm sure the Australian public would love to see him here," the Australia captain said.
India's top envoy Nirupam Sen said the ace spinner is "pride and pleasure" for Indians as well.
The Zimbabwe batsman was suspended for one Test for his comments regarding Sri Lanka off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan.
The off-spinner has been advised by his Board and the ICC to not bowl his 'doosra.'
The Sri Lankan off-spinner equalled Courtney Walsh's world mark of 519 Test wickets on the first day of the first Test against Zimbabwe.
