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Looking Back At The Historical Moment When Muttiah Muralitharan Broke The 800-Wicket Barrier In Tests

July 22, 2010 is a day that will be etched in cricketing memory.

Muttiah Muralitharan did what no bowler had done before - take 800 Test wickets! Yes, a new barrier was set and right now no one seems to be coming close.

AFP

In what was his last Test for Sri Lanka, Muralitharan needed 8 wickets to reach the milestone.

After 5 in the first innings against India, he was nearing the target.

But it almost was not to be. He had two out of 9 wickets in the second innings in Galle and it looked like that the party would be spoiled.

AFP

But fate had other plans for him, Pragyan Ojha edged a ball and Mahela Jayawardene's diving catch at slip sealed the moment! The scenes that followed were one of jubilation for one of Sri Lankan cricket's greatest sons.

The hosts went on to win by 10 wickets, but Muralitharan was the toast of his teammates as he finished with 800 victims in 133 matches.

Will anyone ever break it? Not likely, for the nearest among the active players is James Anderson with 584 scalps.

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