Muralidharan should concentrate more on Cricket than on Bishen Singh Bedi

Muttiah Muralidharan has demanded 750 million Sri Lankan rupees (equivalent to $6.7 million dollar) from former Indian captain and one time great left arm spin bowler Bishan Singh Bedi as damages for making derogatory comments on Muralidharan’s bowling action. Bedi has recently commented that Muralidharan’s bowled with an illegal action and called him a cheat. According to Muralidharan’s manager, Kushil Gunasekara, his lawyer has given Bishan Singh Bedi 14 days to respond and will later decide whether to file court action against him.<o:p></o:p>
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Muralidharan has an exceptional ability to turn the ball using a wristy action and an elbow bent since birth. In his 15-year international career he has already taken 700 wickets from 113 Test matches just eight wickets short from a world record, surpassing retired Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne. <o:p></o:p>
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Has Muralidharan done the right thing at this juncture of his career? Throughout his career he has been surrounded by controversy. In 1995 when Australian umpire Darrell Hair called him for “chucking” during a test match in Melbourne, he was tested and cleared by an Australian biomechanics expert. Many a times Muralidharan’s bowling action was question. Even Australian Prime Minister John Howard called him a chucker. <o:p></o:p>
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ICC conducted an extensive study and the result released in November 2004 was conducted to investigate the chucking issue. A panel of former Test players, with assistance of several biomechanical experts, revealed that 99 % of all bowlers straighten their arms when bowling. Only one player in the world, Ramnaresh Sarwan did not transgress the rules when tested. Muralitharan’s off-break and top spinners were deemed within the rules (i.e. 2 to 5 degree straightening). <o:p></o:p>
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So when Muralitharan has come out of so much of testing and now at the helm of his career, he should not look at to what others are commenting on him. He should put his head down and concentrate in his game of cricket and should target for become the first bowler to reach 1000 wickets as has been rightfully quoted by Shane Warne before he retires. Though I don’t think Bishen Singh Bedi a legendary Cricketer in Indian History should have gone into such a controversy, but still I believe Muralidharan should concentrate more in his game rather than going around with the legal activities.<o:p></o:p>

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