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Muttiah Muralitharan Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated October 6, 2026 • 3 min read

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Quick Info

Date of birth17 April 1972

Age51 Years

BirthplaceNattarampotha, Kandy, Sri Lanka

ProfessionCricketer

NationalitySri Lankan

Marital statusMarried

SpouseR Madhi Malar

FamilySon - Naren; Daughter - Krisha

Net worth₹52 crore 10 lakh ($8 million)

Muttiah Muralitharan Biography

Muttiah Muralitharan is a former Sri Lankan international cricketer widely regarded as one of the game's greatest bowlers. A prolific wicket-taker across a

Early life and background

Muttiah Muralitharan was born on 17 April 1972 in Nattarampotha, Kandy, Sri Lanka. Raised in Kandy, he attended St Anthony's College, where he played school-level sport and won recognition as a standout schoolboy cricketer. His family includes his parents Sinnasamy Muttiah and Lakshmi Muttiah and several brothers.

Career

Muralitharan made his Test debut for Sri Lanka on 28 August 1992 against Australia in Colombo and his One Day International debut on 12 August 1993 against India, also in Colombo. He later appeared in the Twenty20 format, making his T20 debut on 22 December 2006 against New Zealand in Wellington.

A right-handed wrist off-spinner renowned for an unusual bowling action and extraordinary effectiveness, Muralitharan retired as the leading wicket-taker in both Test and ODI cricket. Across 133 Test matches he took 800 wickets at an average of 22.72. In 350 ODIs he claimed 534 wickets at an average of 23.08. He achieved numerous unique statistical milestones: he was the only bowler to take more than 75 wickets in a single calendar year on multiple occasions, the only player to take at least ten wickets against every Test-playing nation, and the single player to take 50 or more Test wickets against every Test opponent. He also reached the 500-Test-wicket mark earlier than any other bowler, and in January 1998 recorded his best match figures of 16 for 220 against England.

Domestically, Muralitharan represented Sri Lanka, Kandurata, and the Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club. Sunil Fernando is listed as a coach or mentor in his profile. Over a long first-class career he took 1,374 wickets in 232 matches at an average of 19.64.

His international honours include being named Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World in 2000 and again in 2006. He collected a large number of individual match and series awards during his career, including recording more 'Man of the Series' trophies in Test cricket than any other player at the time.

Muralitharan announced his retirement from Test cricket on 7 July 2010 and subsequently retired from international cricket later that year.

Public profile

Muttiah Muralitharan's bowling action attracted scrutiny during his career; umpiring and biomechanical reviews examined concerns about the legality of his action and he underwent testing by biomechanical experts. Those examinations and subsequent assessments by cricket authorities cleared him to continue bowling at the international level. He was a high-profile figure both for his on-field achievements and for controversies during his career.

Beyond match statistics, Muralitharan's preferences and off-field profile are part of his public image. He has expressed admiration for several leading batsmen and bowlers of his era, and his favorite foods include Chinese dishes, seafood and South Indian chicken curry. He has been associated with a modest car collection that includes a Kia Rio.

Personal life

Muralitharan married R. Madhi Malar on 21 March 2005. The couple have two children: a son, Naren, and a daughter, Krisha. He holds Sri Lankan nationality and follows Hinduism. He is also noted as being of Indian origin and has acquired Overseas Citizenship of India.

Latest updates

In 2015 he was appointed by the President of Sri Lanka as Brand Ambassador for a Presidential Task Force to combat kidney disease. In recognition at home, he was named Ada Derana Sri Lankan of the Year in 2017. Even after retirement he remains one of cricket's most talked-about figures due to his records and his ongoing involvement in cricket-related activities.

Legacy

Muttiah Muralitharan finished his career as one of cricket's most prolific wicket-takers and remains widely regarded for his match-winning ability and statistical dominance. His records across formats and in first-class cricket stand as a central part of his legacy in the sport.

Editorial Review and Sources

This F4U profile is written from publicly available career and profile information, then reviewed for clarity before publication. If you spot an outdated detail about Muttiah Muralitharan, send the page URL and a reliable correction source to f4udotin@gmail.com.

Reference context: StarsUnfolded

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Recent Work

Brand Ambassador for the Presidential Task Force to combat kidney disease

Appointed by the President of Sri Lanka to serve as Brand Ambassador for a national task force addressing kidney disease

2015
Ada Derana Sri Lankan of the Year

Honoured as Sri Lankan of the Year

2017
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Career Highlights

  1. Most Test wickets: 800 in 133 matches (average 22.72)
  2. Most ODI wickets: 534 in 350 matches (average 23.08)
  3. Only player to take 50+ Test wickets against every Test-playing nation
  4. Only player to take at least ten wickets against every Test-playing nation
  5. First wrist off-spinner in international cricket
  6. Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World (2000, 2006)
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Net Worth

₹52 crore 10 lakh ($8 million)

Figures are editorial estimates based on publicly available reporting and may change as new information emerges.

Reviewed by F4U Editorial Desk

F4U profile pages are prepared from public career information, checked for readability, and updated when reliable correction sources are shared with the editorial team.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Muttiah Muralitharan born?

Muttiah Muralitharan was born on 17 April 1972.

What is Muttiah Muralitharan known for?

Muttiah Muralitharan is known for cricketer.

What is Muttiah Muralitharan’s marital status?

Muttiah Muralitharan's marital status is listed as Married.

Who is Muttiah Muralitharan married to?

Muttiah Muralitharan is publicly listed as married to R Madhi Malar.

What is Muttiah Muralitharan’s net worth?

Muttiah Muralitharan's net worth is commonly listed as ₹52 crore 10 lakh ($8 million), based on available public profile information.