• Brian Lara is considered one of the greatest batsmen of all time.
  
  

• He holds the record for the highest individual Test score: 400*.
  
  

• Muttiah Muralitharan is the highest wicket-taker in international cricket history.
  
  

• In Sri Lanka’s 2001 home series, Lara scored 688 runs despite West Indies losing 3-0.
  
  

• Lara dominated Muralitharan even on spin-friendly Sri Lankan pitches.

Brian Charles Lara is a Trinidadian former international cricketer, widely acknowledged as one of the greatest batsmen of all time. The prolific left-hander captained the West Indies and was known for his fierce duels with spinners Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan—battles that became legendary in modern-day cricket.

Muttiah Muralitharan is one of the most successful bowlers in history. He remains the only player with 800 Test wickets and over 530 ODI wickets, holding the record for most international wickets as of 2022. Lara, on the other hand, scored 34 Test and 19 ODI centuries, including the highest individual Test score—400 not out against England in 2004.

Brian Lara vs Muttiah Muralitharan Head to Head Stats

Brian Lara faced 182 balls from Muttiah Muralitharan in test cricket. In those 182 balls, he scored 87 runs with a strike rate of 47.8 with 7 fours. Muralitharan dismissed him only once in test cricket. Lara has a remarkable average of 87.0 against Murali.

In ODI Cricket, Lara dominated Muralitharan. He faced 79 balls and scored 54 runs with a strike rate of 68.4. Muralitharan never dismissed Brian Lara in ODI Cricket.

Memorable Encounters

In 2000, Lara had a poor run, managing just 497 runs in nine Tests at an average of 29.23. Meanwhile, Muralitharan was at his peak, taking 75 wickets in 10 Tests at an average of 19.50—the highest tally in a calendar year.

The stage was set for the 2001 West Indies tour of Sri Lanka. Lara, under scrutiny, prepared intensely. He studied footage of Muralitharan, worked against local spinners in nets, and refined his approach. His preparation paid off immediately.

From the first Test, Lara was dominant. While his teammates fell to spin, Lara played Muralitharan with remarkable control—using his feet, reading the doosra, and manipulating the crease with ease. He scored 688 runs in the series, including three centuries, even though West Indies were whitewashed 3-0. Muralitharan took 24 wickets, but Lara emerged with his reputation restored.

Also Read | Sachin Tendulkar vs Brian Lara Comparison