Controversy: Muttiah Muralitharan May Play Only as a Bowler in Final Rumour Gathers Storm

When there is no story to book, perhaps a negative story like this may work. What seems paradoxical is that while everyone is waxing eloquent on two outstanding cricketers in the sport who are in all probability playing their final World Cup appearance match, one's injuries may lead to more scrutiny than is otherwise warranted.

suresh raina muttiah muralitharan

Muttiah Muralitharan is apparently struggling with quite a few injury niggles to the extent that the Sri Lankan team had to put him through a fitness test. The logic is quite simple - if Muralitharan is fit, he plays. If he can get through the match, he will play given that the India v Sri Lanka ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 final at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai will be his swansong.

However, there is concern being built up in some quarters that the extent of Muralitharan's injuries could be grave enough to warrant him to perhaps try playing as a bowler alone. That, however, poses the problem with respect to fielding, because he cannot escape that role.

If Muralitharan bowls his ten overs and then leaves the field, it is going to cause grave concerns across the Indian dressing room because Muralitharan could essentially be stating one injury such as the groin or hamstring and get off the field citing another other than the one he declared before the start of the match.

However, it would seem highly unlikely that Muralitharan would even contemplate doing something like that, no matter how desperate he may be to play the match and win it for his country. Knowing Muralitharan's spirit, it would seem inappropriate to even make this kind of suggestion.

Man for the big matches, Muralitharan could well play mind over matter and be one of Sri Lanka's sparkling stars of the night. To suggest anything less is taking credit from a man who deserves the adulation for his success, although the crowd will find it hard if Muralitharan triumphs over local golden boy, Sachin Tendulkar.