Muralitharan is the leading wicket-taker in Test matches as well as ODIs, with 792 wickets in Tests and 515 wickets in ODIs.
He had earlier announced that he would be retiring in Test matches after the home series against the West Indies in November 2010, but he has now advanced the date. However, he said that he would make himself available for the 2011 World Cup that is to be co-hosted by Sri Lanka and will start in February 2011.
A source close to the player said: "He is definitely contemplating it.
"He is discussing it with Sri Lanka Cricket and the selectors and it will be a joint decision with them."
Muralitharan, 38, an off-spin bowler with a unique action, has a world record 792 wickets in 132 Test appearances for his country.
Although he is hoping to call it a day in all forms of international cricket, it remains to be seen whether the selectors or skipper Kumar Sangakkara will try to persuade him to continue playing, at least until next year's World Cup, which Sri Lanka are co-hosting.
Muralitharan is the greatest bowler Sri Lanka has ever produced, and one of the finest players to grace the game of cricket.
He has courted controversy in the past with some umpires, as well as former international players, questioning the legality of his bent-arm bowling action.
The International Cricket Council has looked into the mechanics of how he bowls, but has cleared him from wrongdoing.
Former Australian prime minister John Howard once called Muralitharan a "chucker". He later apologised.
Last year, Muralitharan said he intended focus on playing one-day cricket until the 2011 World Cup, and would thereafter concentrate exclusively on Twenty20 cricket.
Injuries and age have been creeping up on Muralitharan, who has not been able to produce the match-winning performances that were once routine.
It remains unclear whether he intends to continue playing domestic Twenty20 cricket, which includes an agreement to turn out for Chennai Super Kings in the lucrative Indian Premier League.
A brilliantly economical spell of 1-17 in his four overs helped Chennai win this year's IPL final against Mumbai.
~ Photo courtesy: Getty Images
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