Virender Sehwag Picks the Toughest Bowler: Muralitharan or Warne?

Virender Sehwag ’s choice of Muttiah Muralitharan as the toughest bowler shows just how tricky the Sri Lankan spinner was, even for a batting genius like him. While Shane Warne ’s flair and big moments made him a legend, Muralitharan’s mystery and consistency gave batters like Sehwag sleepless nights. This debate between two of cricket’s greatest spinners will always spark excitement, but for Sehwag, Muralitharan was the ultimate challenge. Who do you think was tougher?

Who Are Muralitharan and Warne?

Muttiah Muralitharan, from Sri Lanka, is the highest wicket-taker in Test cricket history with 800 wickets. His unique bowling action and tricky “doosra” (a ball that spins the opposite way) made him a nightmare for batters. Shane Warne, the Australian leg-spin master, took 708 Test wickets and was famous for his magical deliveries, like the “ball of the century” in 1993. Both changed the game with their spin-bowling skills and dominated batters worldwide.

Sehwag’s Big Reveal

In a recent chat on The Overlap Cricket show, Virender Sehwag, who smashed 8,586 Test runs and 8,273 ODI runs, was asked to pick the toughest bowler he faced between Muralitharan and Warne. Sehwag, who played against both during his career from 1999 to 2013, didn’t hesitate. He chose Muttiah Muralitharan as the harder bowler to face. Here’s why:

• Muralitharan’s Mystery: Sehwag said Muralitharan’s bowling was very tough to read. His unusual action and variations, like the doosra, confused even aggressive batters like Sehwag. He admitted struggling to pick Muralitharan’s deliveries, which made batting against him a big challenge.
• Warne Was Easier to face: While Warne was a genius, Sehwag found him easier to handle. He said Warne’s deliveries were more predictable, and he could hit them confidently. Sehwag felt Warne relied on big moments, like a sudden magical ball, but Muralitharan kept the pressure on constantly.

What the Numbers Say

Sehwag’s opinion is backed by his record against both bowlers:

• Against Muralitharan: In Tests, Muralitharan dismissed Sehwag 7 times in 14 matches, though Sehwag scored 1,050 runs at an average of 52.50. In ODIs, Muralitharan got him out 3 times in 28 matches, with Sehwag scoring 672 runs at an average of 37.33. This shows Muralitharan troubled him often.
• Against Warne: In Tests, Warne dismissed Sehwag only 3 times in 14 matches, with Sehwag scoring 1,141 runs at an average of 67.11. In ODIs, Warne got him out just once in 9 matches, while Sehwag scored 271 runs at an average of 33.88. Sehwag dominated Warne more.

Sehwag’s high averages show his attacking style worked, but Muralitharan got him out more often, proving he was the tougher challenge.

Why Muralitharan Was So Tough

Muralitharan’s unique bowling style made him special. His wrist action and ability to spin the ball both ways confused batters. Even top players like Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara struggled against him. Lara once said on The Overlap Cricket that Muralitharan’s variations gave him more pressure than Warne, though he rated Warne higher for his mental strength.

Sehwag’s aggressive batting relied on quick decisions, but Muralitharan’s unpredictable deliveries made it hard for him to attack freely. Warne, on the other hand, bowled in a way that let Sehwag play his natural game, hitting big shots like his trademark cover drives.

Warne’s Magic vs. Muralitharan’s Consistency

Warne was a showman, known for big moments like dismissing batters with a single, unplayable ball. He took 708 Test wickets and shone in high-stakes matches like the Ashes. Muralitharan, however, was a workhorse, bowling long spells and taking 800 Test wickets, including 67 five-wicket hauls compared to Warne’s 37. Muralitharan’s economy rate (2.47 runs per over) was also better than Warne’s (2.65), showing he gave batters fewer scoring chances.

Interestingly, Muralitharan himself once said, “I think Warne was better than me. I looked up to him and learned from him.” But Sehwag’s experience on the field tells a different story, highlighting how Muralitharan’s spin was harder to tackle.