 Chris Dhambarage
 In a format which is considered most difficult for spinners he has
made his mark with another outstanding performance. Even at 36, Sri
Lanka’s spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan looks fitter than most in the
shortest version of the game being able to steal the limelight during
the early stages of the lucrative Indian Premier League.
The Sri Lankan off-spinner proved that he can never be written off no
matter the conditions and whatever the opposition by guiding his team
the Chennai Super Kings to a convincing victory over Bangalore Royal
Challengers with a Man of the Match winning performance.
Speedstar Lasith Malinga and dashing opening batsman Sanath
Jayasuriya are the other two Sri Lankan players who have been able to
strike early form in this second session of the high profile Indian
Premier League now in progress in South Africa.
Even then Muralitharan’s effort had a great amount of significance
because he totally dominated the proceedings by snapping up three vital
wickets and all the damage was done at the expense of just eleven runs.
 This was a tremendous display of control and accuracy from a player
who has made his appearance in a few Twenty20 internationals for his
country in the past. But Muralitharan seems to have the knack of rising
to the occasion and enjoying the game whether it be a Test match or a
One Day International.
The most striking fact is that many batsmen around the world are
struggling and still don’t have a real clue as to how to negotiate his
spin bowling even in the shortest version of the game which is usually
dominated by the stroke makers.
This was quite evident when one of his victims was the flamboyant
former England captain Kevin Pieterson who was dismissed for a “first
ball duck.” This was a class act from Muralitharan who claimed eleven
wickets from 15 matches in last year’s inaugural session of the Indian
Premier League which was staged across in India.
However, he seems to have a liking and got acclimatised to the
wickets in South Africa which will certainly help him a great deal in
emerging as one of the top wicket takers in this competition.
 Meanwhile, a new look Lasith Malinga also made a great start to the
Indian Premier League with a destructive spell of bowling that led
Mumbai Indians to a 19 run victory over Chennai Super Kings.
Incidentally Malinga was unfortunate to have missed out the Man of
the Match award in this game following his splendid three wicket burst
that cost him only 15 runs while playing under tremendous pressure.
The dynamic fast bowler making a comeback into competitive cricket
having recovered from an injury delivered a tremendous blow that would
certainly increase his chances of playing in the ICC Twenty20 World Cup.
Veteran all rounder Sanath Jayasuriya also grabbed the opportunity to
make the headlines with a pleasing performance in his opening encounter
for Mumbai Indians against Chennai Super Kings.
The explosive left hand opening batsman set the pace for a match
winning total and then followed up with two important wickets to
complete a grand double. |
