IPL 2020 | Playing IPL difficult than playing for country: Muttiah Muralitharan | Cricket - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

IPL 2020 | Playing IPL difficult than playing for country: Muttiah Muralitharan

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | Byhindustantimes.com
Aug 20, 2020 06:16 PM IST

IPL 2020: Murali who is the highest wicket-taker of the world in both ODIs and Tests, said the competition level in IPL is high and foreign players have to sit out irrespective of performance to maintain certain team combinations based on conditions and the opposition.

Legendary Sri Lanka cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan is of the opinion that playing IPL is harder than representing your country. Murali’s comments came during an interaction with India off-spinner R Ashwin in his show ‘DRS with Ash’.

Royal Challengers Bangalore's Muttiah Muralitharan with team mates celebrates the wicket of Sunrisers Hyderabad’s P Patel during their IPL match at Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.(PTI)
Royal Challengers Bangalore's Muttiah Muralitharan with team mates celebrates the wicket of Sunrisers Hyderabad’s P Patel during their IPL match at Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.(PTI)

“Playing IPL difficult than playing for country,” said Muralitharan.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The former Sri Lanka off-spinner, who is the highest wicket-taker of the world in both ODIs and Tests, said the competition level in IPL is high and foreign players have to sit out irrespective of performance to maintain certain team combinations based on conditions and the opposition.

“With country, you know you will perform. You will have the confidence that you’ll get the ball, you’ll play. But in IPL, no matter how well you’ve done, you might have to sit out for the sake of team combination. So that’s part and parcel of IPL. You have to accept it and move on,” Murali added.

Also read: It changes everything suddenly’ - Yuzvendra Chahal reveals one problem that has always troubled RCB

Murali, who represented Chennai Super Kings, Kochi Tuskers Kerala (now defunct) and Royal Challengers Bangalore in eight seasons of IPL, said there have been matches where he has had to sit out for the team combination’s sake.

“In IPL only four foreigners can play so tea composition is there. Some matches need all-rounders, some don’t. I too have sat out many matches. But I’ve never been unsatisfied. That is part of the game,” said Murali.

Murali has played in every season of IPL till 2015 but his best years were with Chennai Super Kings where he picked up 52 wickets in 46 matches under MS Dhoni’s leadership.

Murali was last seen plying his trade in the IPL for RCB in 2015.

Ashwin, on the other hand, will a start a new journey with Delhi Capitals in IPL 2020 which is set to begin from September 19 in the UAE. Ashwin, who was the leader of KXIP in last two seasons of IPL, will form a potent spin attack with the likes of Amit Mishra, Sandeep Lamichhane, and Axar Patel in Delhi Capitals.

The 13th edition of IPL will start from September 19 and the final will be played on November 10. The full of schedule of IPL 2020 is yet to be announced by BCCI.

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away!- Login Now!
Catch all the Latest Cricket News, Live Cricket Score and IPL 2024 Schedule, match updates along with Cricket Schedule, Purple Cap in IPL 2024, Orange Cap in IPL 2024 and other related updates on Hindustan Times Website and APPs
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On