You're right M, he's a national icon in Sri Lanka. When he broke the world record the Sri Lankan postal service released a special stamp honoring his achievment. And there was a special parade held too to welcome him back home after he arrived from Zimbabwe, which is where got his world record.

I've been really touched by all the work he's been doing lately for Tsunami victims.

And you're right again about how he's handled his critics. I have always had a lot of respect for him in that respect. I think he's shown a lot of guts and character. Other people (if they weren't as strong enough) could have easily given up considering the sheer amount of criticism he received as recently as a few years back. But not Murali, he's been just relentless, may be a little too much for the liking of his critics, but not many, even his critics I think, would doubt his determination and the passion with which he plays. He represents Sri Lanka with a lot of honor and pride.