There's no doubt wrist spinners will get advantage in any wicket, believes Muthaiyan Muralitharan

04/19/2018

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Muttiah Muralitharan has stated that wrist spinners will get better purchase than finger spinners on any wicket, which is always an added advantage.The legendary Sri Lankan spinner also didn't mince his words while pointing out that politicians have been the cause for destroying Sri Lankan cricket.

Wrist-spinners have always had the edge over finger spinners, regardless of the pitch. And now, with more and more batting-friendly pitches emerging in modern cricket, teams are seen preferring the former skill-set. Sri Lanka’s legendary wrist spinner Muralitharan also admitted to it in his recent interview with ET.

“Wrist spinners will always give you better dividends in overseas conditions. Or more simply put in good batting conditions. There can’t be any debate on this matter. They are expected to pick more wickets and I can clearly see and understand why the Indian selectors have done what they have done. There’s always an element of mystery to wrist spinners and until this mystery is decoded they will deliver for the captain,” said Muralitharan.

India could be the best example where young Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav have kicked out veterans Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja from the limited overs squad. And ahead of the 2019 World Cup, even Muralitharan sounded unsure of the experienced bowlers’ return.

“I don’t know whether Ashwin or Jadeja will be back but the reasoning behind the call is fairly obvious. And both Kuldeep and Chahal have done well and justified the faith shown in them,” he said.

When asked if every spinner needed a mystery ball up his sleeves today, in the way cricket is evolving, Muralitharan opined that it would quintessential these days.

“While that is correct am also saying to keep your core intact. I always emphasised on bowling off-spin first and then trying out other things. Bowling too many doosras, for example, can impact your off spin bowling and it has happened to people in the past. That’s what modern day spinners need to keep in mind,” says the Sunrisers Hyderabad bowling coach.

Normally a soft-spoken guy, Muralitharan was surprisingly bold while expressing his concerns over the dwindling Sri Lankan cricket, blaming the politics in the country for it. He pointed out the wrong way that SLC was handled by people without any prior knowledge of the game.

“To tell you the truth Sri Lankan cricket is currently in a mess. Politicians have taken over the running of the game and with little or no knowledge of the game they are destroying the institution with every passing day. Cricket is all about confidence. Giving the players the confidence to perform, making them feel great when they wear Sri Lankan colours,” he said.

Sri Lanka have experimented a lot over the last few months, not allowing players to settle at the highest level. And the spinner also expressed his dissatisfaction with it.

“I did not become a champion bowler in one day. For 4-5 years, Arjuna kept giving me the confidence. That’s how I became who I am. Now every time a batsman goes out to bat he is told you have to score or else we will bench you. The same is true for bowlers. In the last one year Sri Lanka has fielded some 60 players across all formats. 60 players in one year! This is irrational and tells you there is no vision how the game should be run. Such frequent chopping and changing will only end up destroying the game further,” said Muralitharan.

Sunrisers Hyderabad are playing some good brand of cricket in this year’s IPL, like last two seasons despite Warner’s absence. While Muralitharan accepted that Warner’s absence has been a big loss for the team, he also pointed out that Kane Williamson has led the team very well.

“His are big shoes to fill. He has been an exceptional player for us and for any team he has played for. But there is little that can be done and I have to say Kane Williamson has led the team very well in Warner’s absence. He has the experience and has held the dressing room together quite nicely,” Muralitharan concluded.