Indian doctor invited by Murali for farewell Test

Veteran off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan has invited Indian orthopaedic surgeon and former medical consultant to the Sri Lankan team Mandeep Singh Dhillon to witness his swansong Test against India in Galle.

Dhillon, who assisted Muralitharan in clearing his controversial bowling action, is among the several close friends who have been invited by the spin wizard to attend the special ceremony marking the end of his Test career on the final day of the ongoing Test.

Dhillon had designed the special brace for Muralitharan when his case was presented to the ICC in 2003-04 after chucking allegations.

Doubts about Muralitharan's bowling action were cleared when the off-spinner testified with the brace on his arm.

"After moving to Apollo Hospital in Colombo in January 2003, I was associated with the Sri Lankan Cricket team for two-and-a half years as a Sports Injury consultant and my services were sought to verify Muralitharan's bowling action," Dhillion said.

"Muralitharan gets extra movement at his shoulder arm and also at his wrist, which gives impression that he chucks the bowl. It may be an illusion of a flex," the Daily Mirror newspaper quoted the doctor as saying from Chandigarh.

"I would not say this (extra movements at shoulder and wrist) is a blessing or deformity but it is by his birth and is the reason for his bowling action doubts. But with the brace, which was prepared for him, proved that it not giving him any benefit and hence his action is undoubtedly clean," Dhillon added.

The doctor said he would only attend the last four days of the match due to his prior engagements. "I will attend last four-day play of his farewell Test," he added.

Dhillon has a special interest in arthroscopy, joint replacement and foot and ankle problems, as well as sports related problems and has performed several arthroscopic procedures and joint replacements.