Muralitharan has announced his retirement

Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan has announced his retirement from all international cricket, after the 1st Test of the 3-match series against India, which will begin on July 18.

Muralitharan is the leading wicket-taker in Test matches as well as ODIs, with 792 wickets in 132 Tests and 515 wickets in 337 ODIs.

He had announced last year that he would be retiring in Test matches after the home series against the West Indies in November 2010, but has now advanced the date. However, he could make himself available for the 2011 World Cup that is to be co-hosted by Sri Lanka and will start in February 2011.

One of the world's finest exponents of spin bowling, Murali's career has spanned a staggering 18 years, most of which he spent dazzling the world, and a few of which were dogged by allegations of chucking, notably in Australia, where he was called for throwing on two occasions - by umpires Darrell Hair and Ross Emerson.

He has said that it is difficult to bowl long spell for him and is expected to play T20 cricket. He plays for reigning IPL champions Chennai Super Kings, who are due to play in the Champions T20 league in September in South Africa.