After the 2011 World Cup in India, former Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan announced his international retirement. In the opinion of many, one of the finest bowlers to ever play the game is the off-spinner.
In this article, you will know Muralitharan’s net worth, salary, endorsement, and personal life.
Muttiah Muralitharan’s Biography
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Deshabandu Muttiah Muralitharan |
| Date of Birth | April 17, 1972 |
| Age | 53 years |
| Education | St. Anthony’s College, Kandy |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) |
| Weight | 70 kg (154 lbs) |
| Turned Pro | 1992 (Test debut) |
| Net Worth | $9 million |
| Salary/Career Earnings | ₹152.84 million (IPL total) |
| Wife | Madhimalar Ramamurthy |
| Instagram Profile | N/A |
| Twitter Profile | @Murali_800 |
Early Career
Muralitharan’s journey began in Kandy, where he was born into a business-minded Tamil family. At nine, he joined St. Anthony’s College and played as a medium-pacer until a coach encouraged him to try off-spin at age fourteen.
His unique wrist-driven action quickly paid dividends: by 1990–91 he had taken over a hundred wickets in school cricket and earned the “Bata Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year” title.
He joined Tamil Union Cricket Club and impressed selectors on Sri Lanka A’s tour of England, paving the way for his Test debut against Australia in August 1992. Early on, his bent-arm action attracted controversy, but biomechanical analysis cleared him, allowing him to focus on honing variations like the doosra and top-spinner.
Professional Career
Muralitharan dominated from 1992 through 2011. He captured his first five-wicket haul in Tests during Sri Lanka’s 1993 home series against South Africa. Despite questions over legality, the ICC cleared his action twice, and he went on to set records for most Test wickets (800) and most ODI wickets (534).
He was integral to Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup triumph and held the ICC Test bowler ranking for a record 1,711 days. Domestically, he starred for Tamil Union and had successful stints in England’s County Championship with Lancashire and Kent.
In the IPL he represented Chennai Super Kings, Kochi Tuskers Kerala, and Royal Challengers Bangalore between 2008 and 2014, helping Chennai win the 2010 title.
After retiring from international cricket following the 2011 World Cup, he played two more IPL seasons before transitioning to coaching roles, including mentoring Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Wife
Muralitharan married Madhimalar Ramamurthy, the Chennai-born daughter of a prominent healthcare entrepreneur. Their wedding honored Tamil traditions and was attended by family and cricketing friends.
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The couple has two children: son Naren and daughter Krisha. While he keeps a low profile off the field, he shares occasional family moments on social media. His wife balances private family life with occasional public appearances supporting his coaching commitments in the IPL.
Muttiah Muralitharan’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Muttiah Muralitharan’s net worth is estimated to be $9 million. He obtained this enormous sum via his IPL contracts, private enterprises, and BCCI wages.
IPL Salary
| Year | Team | Salary |
| 2014 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | ₹ 10,000,000 |
| 2013 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | ₹ 10,120,000 |
| 2012 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | ₹ 10,120,000 |
| 2011 | Kochi Tuskers Kerala | ₹ 50,600,000 |
| 2010 | Chennai Super Kings | ₹ 24,000,000 |
| 2009 | Chennai Super Kings | ₹ 24,000,000 |
| 2008 | Chennai Super Kings | ₹ 24,000,000 |
| Total | ₹ 152,840,000 |
Endorsements
The aforementioned Muttiah Muralitharan amassed great riches through endorsement deals with businesses including Lafarge, Indian Oil Corporation, Royal Stag, KFC, and Peter England, as well as his pay from several Indian Premier League (IPL) contracts.
Career Stats
| Number | Batsman | Score | Team | Match # | Test # |
| 1st | Craig McDermott | 9 | Australia | 1 | 1195 |
| 50th | Navjot Sidhu | 43 | India | 13 | 1247 |
| 74th | Inzamam-ul-Haq | 26 | Pakistan | 20 | 1305 |
| 100th | Stephen Fleming | 59 | New Zealand | 27 | 1359 |
| 150th | Guy Whittall | 17 | Zimbabwe | 36 | 1395 |
| 200th | Dominic Cork | 8 | England | 42 | 1423 |
| 250th | Naved Ashraf | 27 | Pakistan | 51 | 1489 |
| 300th | Shaun Pollock | 11 | South Africa | 58 | 1526 |
| 350th | Mohammad Sharif | 19 | Bangladesh | 66 | 1561 |
| 400th | Henry Olonga | 0 | Zimbabwe | 72 | 1585 |
| 450th | Daryl Tuffey | 1 | New Zealand | 80 | 1644 |
| 500th | Michael Kasprowicz | 0 | Australia | 87 | 1688 |
| 520th | Mluleki Nkala | 24 | Zimbabwe | 89 | 1698 |
| 550th | Khaled Mashud | 2 | Bangladesh | 94 | 1764 |
| 600th | Khaled Mashud | 6 | Bangladesh | 101 | 1786 |
| 650th | Makhaya Ntini | 13 | South Africa | 108 | 1812 |
| 700th | Syed Rasel | 4 | Bangladesh | 113 | 1839 |
| 709th | Paul Collingwood | 45 | England | 116 | 1851 |
| 750th | Sourav Ganguly | 16 | India | 122 | 1884 |
| 800th | Pragyan Ojha | 13 | India | 133 | 1964 |
FAQs
1. Who is Muttiah Muralitharan?
Muttiah Muralitharan is a former Sri Lankan cricketer, widely regarded as one of the greatest spin bowlers in cricket history. He holds the record for the most wickets in both Test and One Day International cricket.
2. What are Muttiah Muralitharan’s major cricket records?
Muralitharan is the only bowler to take 800 wickets in Test matches and over 530 wickets in ODIs. He also holds the record for the most wickets in international cricket across all formats.
3. Why was Muttiah Muralitharan’s bowling action controversial?
His unique bowling action, caused by a natural deformity in his arm, led to accusations of illegal bowling. After extensive biomechanical analysis, the International Cricket Council cleared his action as legal.
4. When did Muttiah Muralitharan retire from international cricket?
He retired from Test cricket in July 2010 after taking his 800th wicket. He ended his ODI and T20I careers after the 2011 Cricket World Cup.
5. What is Muttiah Muralitharan’s role after retirement?
After retiring, Muralitharan became a cricket coach and mentor. He has served as the bowling coach for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League and has worked with other teams as a consultant.
6. What is Muttiah Muralitharan’s family background?
Muralitharan was born in Kandy, Sri Lanka, to a Tamil family. He married Madhimalar Ramamurthy in 2005, and they have two children, Naren and Krisha.
7. What awards and honors has Muttiah Muralitharan received?
He was named the Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World twice, inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame, and honored by the Sri Lankan Parliament for his achievements.
8. What is the significance of the Warne-Muralidaran Trophy?
The Warne-Muralidaran Trophy is contested between Australia and Sri Lanka in Test cricket, named after Muralitharan and Shane Warne, the two leading wicket-takers in Test history.
9. How did Muttiah Muralitharan contribute to Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup win?
Muralitharan played a key role as a bowler in Sri Lanka’s 1996 Cricket World Cup-winning team, helping the country secure its first and only World Cup title.
10. What is Muttiah Muralitharan’s legacy in cricket?
Muralitharan’s legacy is defined by his record-breaking achievements, resilience in overcoming challenges, and his influence in developing future generations of cricketers through coaching and mentorship.
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