Legendary Sri Lankan bowler Muttiah Muralitharan has expressed deep concern about the future of Test cricket, citing the dwindling viewership and the shift towards shorter formats. Muralitharan, who holds the record for the most wickets taken by any bowler in Test history with 800, believes that his record is unlikely to be broken anytime soon due to the lack of consistency among modern-day bowlers.
Muralitharan’s concerns stem from the fact that cricketers nowadays prioritize shorter formats such as T20s and ODIs, which offer instant gratification and financial rewards. This focus on short-form cricket has led to a decline in the development of bowlers who can maintain the stamina and consistency required to succeed in Test cricket.
“It’s very hard (for someone to surpass 800 Test wickets), because emphasis has shifted to short-form cricket,” Muralitharan said. “Also, we played for 20 years. Careers are shorter now.”
The closest bowlers to Muralitharan’s record are Australian spinner Nathan Lyon (530 wickets) and Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin (516). However, both Lyon and Ashwin are in their late 30s and are unlikely to reach Muralitharan’s total before they retire.
Muralitharan also pointed out that the lack of experience among young bowlers is a major factor contributing to the decline of Test cricket. “Consistency is the problem,” he said. “It’s not about how good they are, because they all are talented. The only thing is how can they become experienced? Nowadays, it’s difficult. There are too many tournaments and things in their heads.”
Muralitharan’s concerns are echoed by many cricket experts who believe that the future of Test cricket is uncertain. The decline in viewership and the lack of young bowlers with the necessary skills and experience are major challenges that need to be addressed if Test cricket is to survive.
