Murali to marry Chennai girl

Sri Lankan spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan has chosen Madhimalar, a Chennai-based business executive, as his life partner and the marriage would be held in Chennai on March 21.

The marriage of the 32-year-old off-spinner, the world's second highest Test wicket-taker behind Shane Warne, was arranged between the parents of the families here in December last year.

"It was like a match made in heaven. After exchange of horoscopes, Murali and his mother visited our house through a common friend of our families," one of the family members said.

"We are happy to have Murali as our son-in-law. We have found a perfect match for my daughter," said the would-be-bride's mother Dr Nithya Ramamurthy.

Madhimalar, who has become an avid lover of the game of cricket since meeting Murali, said, "I am really happy, he is a very humble person. He visited us during first week of December with his mother, who expressed their happiness to have me as her daughter-in-law. Soon, Murali offered a ring to me.

"It all happened in a jiffy," said the 24-year-old, who is a postgraduate in Business Administration.

Madhimalar, whose twin sister Dr Rathimalar was married in 2003, said, "the customary betrothal will be held on March 20, a day before the marriage. Murali is scheduled to be in the city on February 10".

Murali, whose parents hail from Trichy, is a regular visitor to Chennai and has a hotel business in Trichy besides the confectionery factory run by his parents in Sri Lanka.

Since making his debut for Sri Lanka at 20 years and 133 days, Murali has claimed 532 wickets in 91 Tests at an average of 22.86, the best figures being 9 for 51 against Zimbabwe in Kandy during 2001-02. He is also an Ambassador of Peace of the United Nations.