Former Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga feels ace off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan can end up with more than 1,000 Test wickets if he plays for few more years.
Speaking at a press event, organised by Sri Lankan Airways in Mumbai on Monday, to promote tourism between Sri Lanka and India and launch special holiday packages for Indian tourists wanting to visit the island nation during India's cricket tour next month., Ranatunga, chairman of the Sri Lanka Cricket Board, said, "I hope Murali will get 1,000 [Test] wickets -- and that is a short-term plan. He looks very fit and he trains very hard. I hope that he can continue for at least another three-four years. He never talks about retirement; I mean, he is just unbelievable and hope he can get 1,000 wickets."
Ranatunga believes that getting an opportunity to witness Sachin Tendulkar breaking Brian Lara's world record for all-time runs scored in Tests should be a big incentive for India fans to make the trip.
Tendulkar is 171 runs behind Lara's aggregate of 11,953 runs and will get a chance to surpass the former West Indies batsmen during India's three-Test series in Sri Lanka. Ranatunga is of the opinion that the master batsman still has a few more years left in him.
"If I was the chairman of selectors I would handle Sachin in a very different way, like what we are doing with Murali. If properly looked after, I think, Sachin can play till the 2011 World Cup. You should not really strain him, especially in the one-day arena. His commitment is huge, and if properly protected I am sure he can go up to the next World Cup."
Ranatunga, who led Sri Lanka to World Cup glory in 1996, says the much-hyped duel between Tendulkar and Muralitharan will add spice to the contest.
"The Test series will be something to watch, because there will be two great cricketers playing: Sachin Tendulkar and Muttiah Muralitharan. I can't go and watch cricket too much, but I don't mind watching Sachin playing. I always admire him as a batsman. Murali, no doubt, is one of the greatest bowlers ever. So it will be a good contest between two legendary cricketers," he said.
The 47-year-old was effusive in praise of India's ODI captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
"Dhoni has captained very well. He proved me wrong, because I never thought he could captain a side like India. I think a lot of credit should go to him and [chief selector Dilip] Vengsarkar for bringing up a lot of young cricketers, giving them opportunities and looking after them. I think the Indians are on the right track, promoting youngsters, keeping in mind the next World Cup [in 2011]. And, keeping in mind that the World Cup will be held in Asia, all three countries [India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka] have a very good chance of winning the tournament. I think Indians have already started preparations and I am not sure whether we have started that or even the Pakistanis," he said.
