I wanted to quit on a high note: Murali

Former Sri Lankan spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan feels that his decision to quit international cricket after World Cup was a correct one as he left on a high having finished as highest wicket-taker in both forms of the game.

Muttiah Muralitharan got his break at the age of 19 © Getty Images

Dubai: Jun 10, 2011

Former Sri Lankan spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan feels that his decision to quit international cricket after World Cup was a correct one as he left on a high having finished as highest wicket-taker in both forms of the game.

“I could have gone on for another two or three years but I wanted to quit while in a good position and retire at a peak rather than on a downward turn,” Murali told ICC Cricket World Radio Show.

For the legendary tweaker, it was about giving the youngsters a chance to prove themselves at the international after having led the Lankan attack manfully for close to two decades.

“I thought it was a right time to give the youngsters like Ajantha Mendis, Suraj Randiv and Rangana Herath an opportunity. They are all itching for their chances because I have been playing for the last 18 years. I got my chance at 19 and now it’s their turn,” Murali said.

He might finished his Test career with 800 wickets but it is the 1996 World Cup triumph that he feels was the best moment of his cricketing career.

“World Cup win in 1996 was the biggest thing in Sri Lanka and we proved we could play good cricket and more teams came to play against us,” he concluded.

© PTI