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Murali gets 800, Sri Lanka on course

Muttiah Muralitharan took his 800th wicket with the final ball of this test career to dismiss India for 338 in their second innings on Thursday, leaving Sri Lanka needing 95 runs for victory in the first test.

Pragyan Ojha was the last wicket to fall after India’s tail battled valiantly to save the opener of the three-match series, the number 11 caught brilliant at first slip by Mahela Jayawardene for 13 to set off wild celebrations in Galle Stadium.

Muralitharan’s unique feat of becoming the first bowler to achieve the mark was greeted by fireworks and the entire Sri Lanka team hugged the off-spinner before carrying him shoulder high to the dressing room.

Earlier, Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa flew in by helicopter to watch a few minutes play and spoke to Muralitharan, who also had a large number of family members watching in the stands, and the rest of the team.