Muttiah Muralitharan is in India for family commitments
MUMBAI: Sri Lanka’s ace-spinner and world’s highest Test wicket taker Muttiah Muralitharan is “unlikely” be present for the presentation ceremony on the final day of the ongoing Test between Sri Lanka and Australia.
According to the highly placed sources close to the 45-year-old ex-spinner, Muralitharan is in India for the family commitments.
“He left for India on Monday morning and will only be arriving in Sri Lanka after a few days”, the two independent sources confirm to this Reporter.
“His visit was planned A few days ago and he is likely to be in Chennai or in some other Southern city of India”.
Murali is a son-in-law of India and is a mentor to the Hyderabad Sunriser team in BCCI-run IPL team.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) had sent him an invitation to be present for the presentation ceremony and to give away prizes after the completion of the Test match. The hard-copy of the invitation was delivered at his residence by an employee.
The present Test series between the two countries is being played for the Warne-Muralitharan trophy and unless there is a change of heart, world’s both leading spinners will not be on dais on the final day’s play at the Sinhalese Sports Ground on the scheduled last-day of the Test match on Wednesday.
The hon. sports minister Dayasiri Jaysekera is likely to be present. This was confirmed by the minister.
Sri Lanka has already won the series and the trophy would be handed over to Angeleo Mathews-led Sri Lankan team.
