Sri Lanka's World Cup-winning skipper Arjuna Ranatunga on Friday congratulated his old foe Shane Warne on becoming the world's highest Test wicket-taker, but predicted his glory will be short-lived.
Ranatunga, 40, who in 1996 led Sri Lanka to World Cup victory, said former team-mate Muttiah Muralitharan would win back the record after he recovers from injury.
Muralitharan, 32, known as Murali, is at home recovering from shoulder surgery in Australia.
"It is good for Murali to have stiff competition from Shane Warne," Ranatunga told AFP.
"But he will be able to get back the title very soon and then concentrate on achieving his next target."
Muralitharan has said he wants to reach at least 600 to 650 Test wickets before retiring after the next World Cup.
Ranatunga noted Murali's performance was better than Warne's because had taken 532 Test wickets in 23 fewer matches.
Warne broke the record on the second day of the second Test against India at Chennai on Friday.