World’s highest wicket taker Muttiah Muralitharan criticized the absence of Umpire Referral System, which has been not used for the current India-Sri Lanka Test series, but has been used in Tests elsewhere in the world.

The Umpire Referral System was supposed to be mandatory for all Test Matches that started after the 1st of October, but the Indian board disagreed and wanted the home board to decide whether Umpire Referral System should be used or not.

"We endorse the Referral System because then the pressure is off the umpires. At the moment the pressure is more on the umpires and if they make a mistake, everyone will complain. The Referral System in the future should become a must. In another two, three series happening in Australia and New Zealand, it’s on. It’s not happening here and it’s unfortunate for us," Muralitharan told journalists after four decisions were made against his team.

"Had the Referral System been there, we could have been in a better position. Everything went against us. I don’t know how many decisions. I didn’t count. But there are many occasions we have been unlucky. Dilshan for example couldn’t capitalize on day-one and those are things that mattered at the end of the Test. The ICC should open its eyes and just put the Referral System in place for all games," Muralitharan added.

The Umpire Referral System gives captains three chances to request the assistance of the Third Umpire taking off the obvious errors made by the on-field umpires. In this Test, in form batsman Tillekeratne Dilshan was given out twice wrongly while two Indian batsmen - Rahul Dravid and Sachin

Tendulkar were let off when India were batting.

Muralitharan also gave credit to the way India played. The hosts outplayed the tourists in the series and came into the Bombay Test with a 1-0 lead.

"You’ve got to admit that they played really well too. They put pressure on us and didn’t allow us to bowl to our plans," he added.

Sri Lanka, who still trail by 59 runs, have an outside chance to draw the Test Match and Murali hoped his captain continued from where he left and helped Sri Lanka to draw the game.

"It’s a brilliant captain’s knock. Kumar played some good shots as well. He’s still not out and if he hangs around for more time, he can make a difference tomorrow."

He was also disappointed with his own. "It’s not a rosy series for me. I took nine wickets for 550 odd runs. I guess it happens to all bowlers. Overall as well, we haven’t got that many wickets in this series and that’s why India is on top at the moment."

When asked whether it would be a disappointment for him not to win a Test in India, Murali was philosophical. "I would say it’s

fate. These things happen in life. God wouldn’t give everything in life to you. It happens to all human beings. Probably it was one of those things that’s not meant to be. Cricket is at the end of the day is a game. You enjoy it. Play it and happily go rather than grumble and moan about it. If you haven’t done well, you haven’t done well. For my experience in this series, I didn’t do well. At least when I play against the West Indies next year, I will try to go on a high," he said.