COLOMBO: Sri Lanka`s world record holding bowler Muttiah Muralitharan will retire from Test cricket after the first match against India this month, the governing body of the sport said Tuesday.

"Muttiah Muralitharan has decided to retire from Test cricket after the first Test in Galle versus India commencing July 18," Sri Lanka Cricket said on its website.

Muralitharan, 38, who is affectionately known as Murali, is the most successful bowler in history with a record 792 Test wickets.

Sri Lanka Cricket said he had the blessing of President Mahinda Rajapakse to retire early, although he had previously said he wanted to remain until the 2011 World Cup.

BDST: 2239hrs, July 6, 2010