Captaincy never meant much to me: Muralitharan

Colombo, Aug 21 (UNI) It's the cap and not captaincy, which matters most to Muttiah Muralitharan, who swears by the adage that uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.

Talking to reporters here last evening, Muralitharan talked at length about his career and when asked if he ever dreamt of leading the Lankan side, the spinner said, ''I never chased this dream of becoming the captain. Sometimes, it's better to be just a member of the side, than being its leader.

''Of course you get credit when your team does well, but when it doesn't, you, as the captain, draw flak. I have seen four-five captains in my career and I never wanted to become one. I don't regret that either,'' he revealed.

''I rather enjoy my stature as a successful bowler,'' Muralitharan added.

His teammate Kumar Sangakkara, however, was quick to add that apart from Chaminda Vaas, Muralitharan have been leading the side to many a memorable win.

''Vaas and Murali may not have been appointed captain of the side but on so many occasions, they have led us to glory. They have been our leader off the field and we realised that's the way it served us better and they have led us to triumph,'' he said.

Meanwhile, Muralitharan was not game when asked to rate the captains he played under -- right from Arjuna Ranatunga, Sanath Jayasuriya, Marvan Atapattu and stand-in skipper Mahela Jayawardene -- even though it was not tough to guess his favourite.

''You can't say who was the best captain. But if I'm to name one person who stood by me, it was Arjuna Ranatunga, the way he supported me in 1998. So many times, he invited troubles just because of me and that's why I admire him,'' he said.

''But I'm a rather easy-going person and so worked equally under all other captains. I never had any problem with anyone,'' he added.

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