Editing Muttiah Muralitharan (section)

====Beyond the world record====
In July 2008, Muralitharan and [[Ajantha Mendis]] stopped India's strong batting as Sri Lanka won the first Test by a record innings and 239 runs in Colombo. Muralitharan finished the match with 11 wickets for 110, as India were shot out for 138 in their second innings after conceding a lead of 377 on the fourth day. He was well supported by debutant [[Ajantha Mendis]], an unorthodox [[Bowling (cricket)|spinner]] with plenty of variation, who took eight wickets in his debut match.

Muralitharan believed the emergence of Mendis would help prolong his own career. Muralitharan, 36, and 23-year-old Mendis formed a formidable partnership in the first Test thrashing of India, taking 19 of the 20 wickets between them. "If he keeps performing this way, he will definitely take a lot of wickets in international cricket. Now that he has come, I think I can play Test cricket a few more years. Bowling 50 overs in a Test innings is very hard. Now if I bowl only 30–35 and he bowls more than me, the job will get easier for me."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080726/wl_sthasia_afp/cricketsriind |title=India crash to big defeat after Murali-Mendis magic |work=Yahoo news |date=26 July 2008 |access-date=27 July 2008 }}{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

For his performances in 2008, he was named in the World Test XI by ICC<ref name="ICC Test Team of the Year"/>{{Circular reference|date=August 2019}}.