'We will truly miss Muralitharan'
Mumbai: While 1.2 billion Indians, including the 15 representing Team India, are eyeing to win this World Cup for Sachin Tendulkar, the Sri Lankans are not carrying similar sentiments for their own icon in Muttiah Muralitharan. Mahela Jayawardene said that when the team started its build-up for the event, the focus was to win it for the country.
'I don't think we want to change that. Even Muralitharan would have the same sentiment as well. He wants to win it for Sri Lanka,' said Jayawardene. But both the 33-year-old batsman and coach Trevor Bayliss showered praise on the outgoing spin-wizard. 'He gives everyone in the team a laugh sometimes even at his own expense,' said Bayliss of Murali.
Jayawardene added: 'At times, his over-friendly nature can also be annoying since he befriends the members of the opponent team as well.' Jayawardene paid rich tributes to the human side of the master spinner. 'When I joined the Sri Lankan team for the first time, he was the one who took me out for a meal. I didn't even know him then,' Jayawardene remembered. 'Murali continues to do that even today for the latest newcomer in the squad. That is Muralitharan for you!'
Jayawardene said that the legend of Murali is such that the man at times considers himself a better batsman than even Sachin Tendulkar. 'We will truly miss Muralitharan when he says goodbye. Over the years, he has been one of those guys who have kept everyone's spirits high in the dressing room even when the chips were down,' the former skipper said.
The final against India will be Muralitharan's last game in international cricket, but a big question mark still remains whether he will be fit enough to play in the final. However, the team management believes that Muralitharan will give it all to play the biggest game.
Mumbai: While 1.2 billion Indians, including the 15 representing Team India, are eyeing to win this World Cup for Sachin Tendulkar, the Sri Lankans are not carrying similar sentiments for their own icon in Muttiah Muralitharan. Mahela Jayawardene said that when the team started its build-up for the event, the focus was to win it for the country.
'I don't think we want to change that. Even Muralitharan would have the same sentiment as well. He wants to win it for Sri Lanka,' said Jayawardene. But both the 33-year-old batsman and coach Trevor Bayliss showered praise on the outgoing spin-wizard. 'He gives everyone in the team a laugh sometimes even at his own expense,' said Bayliss of Murali.
Jayawardene added: 'At times, his over-friendly nature can also be annoying since he befriends the members of the opponent team as well.' Jayawardene paid rich tributes to the human side of the master spinner. 'When I joined the Sri Lankan team for the first time, he was the one who took me out for a meal. I didn't even know him then,' Jayawardene remembered. 'Murali continues to do that even today for the latest newcomer in the squad. That is Muralitharan for you!'
Jayawardene said that the legend of Murali is such that the man at times considers himself a better batsman than even Sachin Tendulkar. 'We will truly miss Muralitharan when he says goodbye. Over the years, he has been one of those guys who have kept everyone's spirits high in the dressing room even when the chips were down,' the former skipper said.
The final against India will be Muralitharan's last game in international cricket, but a big question mark still remains whether he will be fit enough to play in the final. However, the team management believes that Muralitharan will give it all to play the biggest game.
News Posted: 1 April, 2011
|
