Kandy's most famous son

All the talk in the build-up to the series has been about Muttiah Muralitharan's impending retirement.Nihal Koshie of the Indian Express visits Murali's hometown, Kandy, and speaks to the offspinner's long-time mentor, Sunil Fernando, and Murali's school friends.

Say ‘Murali’ and people are ready to spare time for a chat. They still prefer to talk about him as the boy who could turn the ball more than anyone else. The doosra and other variations don’t appeal to people in Murali’s hometown. Here people know him as the keen medium-pacer and middle-order bat, who started bowling big off-spinners.

In the Times of India, Partha Bhaduri pays tribute to the world's leading wicket-taker.

Muttiah Muralitharan's story unfolded through his eyes. Burning, bulging, crazily intent, they were a steely monochrome to the contortionist's impossibly flexible wrists, inward rotating shoulders and that bent elbow which haunted his domain like a vengeful poltergeist. They were eyes that would kill. And wouldn't let go until they did, having foretold doom 792 times in Test cricket before Sunday, 84 more than a more flamboyant Australian world-beater with whom mathematical games will forever continue.

The Sri Lankan newspaper the Nation (PDF link) has a 16-page pullout on Murali. There are tributes from Kumar Sangakkara and MS Dhoni, an interview with Murali, and much else.