Rpting after correction in 2nd and 3rd para

Thu, Jul 22 10 08:37 PM

Indian cricket fraternity hails Muralitharan New Delhi, July 22 (PTI) India''s defeat in the first Test was hardly a topic of discussion, as country''s cricket fraternity showered accolades on Muttiah Muralitharan, saying no bowler in the world can touch his 800-wicket mark. Muralitharan quit the longer version of the game in style, taking the required eight wickets to get to the magical figure. India''s 1983 World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev feels with the growing amount of limited overs cricket, it would be difficult for anyone to come closer to Muralitharan''s feat. "Murali is a genius. I say this because he has developed his own doosra and is a pioneer in the delivery. His achievements are incomparable. "He faced many hurdles in his life but overcame all like a champion. With the kind of Twenty20 and one-day cricket being played these days, I do not think anyone in the world can come closer to his mark, leave alone surpassing it," Kapil said. "It is a truly great performance from Murali, especially because Sri Lanka came into the ICC fold only in the early 80s. People should emulate his determination and perseverance," he added. Former India off-spinner Erapalli Prasanna agreed with Kapil, saying Muralitharan is God''s gift to the game. "It is a brilliant performance and wonderful record to boot. It speaks volume of Murali''s character, determination and perseverance. He is a God''s gift. In my opinion no one will be able to match this feat in the horizon," said Prasanna, who has 189 Tests wickets to his credit. "He has performed in all types of wickets and terrorised batsmen across the world. No way any other bowlers in the globe could surpass his feat. "Graeme Swann of England has been amongst wickets but I wonder whether he too will be able to achieve Murali''s feat. Murali has left a void in world cricket which will be hard to fill in," he said. Prasanna said the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) needs to seriously think about the woes of India''s spin bowling department, which at one time used to be its strength. "It is time that the BCCI address the problem of our spinners. Spin bowling always used to be our weapon and strength. Murali captured eight wickets, but Harbhajan (Singh) went wicketless. The performance of our team in this match should have opened the eyes of BCCI officials," he said. BCCI secretary N Srinivasan, who is also the owner of Muralitharan''s IPL team Chennai Super Kings, congratulated the Sri Lankan spinner for his amazing success. "I congratulate Murali on his achievement. He is one of the best of all time greats. I wish him the best," Srinivasan said.

Source: Published>