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Galle: World record holder spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, on the eve of his last cricket Test, said on Saturday that it was just another match for him.

The first Test of the three-match series against India starts today in this seaside town that has always been special for Muralitharan.

"I can't say it's a big match. Just another match and it is going to be the last match for me. I have been happy with the way I have played in the last 18-19 years. Hopefully, I will do well and get a good result for Sri Lanka and retire very well. That's the whole plan," Muralitharan, who is eight wickets short of 800 Test wickets, said at the pre-match press conference.

But Muralitharan is not thinking too much about the figures, he wants to enjoy himself for one last time.

"If I do not get a single wicket or if I get five wickets, I will [still] be very happy. I will try all my tricks in the middle for the last time. Let's see if it works or not.

"I am going to really enjoy the game rather than think about how many wickets I am going to need. Just enjoy the game and not put much pressure on myself," he said.

All the stands at the Galle International Stadium have placards bearing the name of this legendary Sri Lankan cricketer.

But Muralitharan is not overwhelmed by the atmosphere.

"I would like to thank the cricket board and the groundsman [Jayananda Warnaweera] for arranging such a great thing in Galle. It is a great honour for me to retire like this," he said.