The three-time IPL champions, Mumbai Indians lifted the coveted trophy in 2013, 2015 and 2017, all came under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma. However, one of the biggest reasons for their success has been their bowling attack, led by Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga.
Malinga was first introduced to the Mumbai based franchise in 2009 and has been with them till 2017 as a player and as a bowling mentor in 2018. After seeing a resurgence in his playing career. The veteran put himself back into the IPL auction in 2019 and Mumbai Indians picked him during the auction. He might turn out for the franchise in the next game after missing their opening match against Delhi Capitals.
It remains to be seen if the team management includes him straight away in the playing XI against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Recently, the franchise released a video of Lasith Malinga joining the MI camp. His return boosts MI’s confidence who had lost their opening game after brilliant innings from Rishabh Pant.
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Malinga can become a lethal option for MI and even after joining the team he expressed his elation after joining the team. “I am really happy to be here. This year also looking forward to playing for Mumbai Indians. I will try my best to win all the matches.”
Here’s the video:
#OneFamily, ready to witness toe-crushers again in that jersey number 99? 🎯
SLINGA IS BACK! 💙💙💙#CricketMeriJaan #MumbaiIndians pic.twitter.com/4dTIueP0mj
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) March 28, 2019
There was an issue with Malinga’s participation in the IPL 2019. As the SLC was forcing their international players to play in the domestic One-Day tournament in order to qualify for getting picked in the World Cup squad. Currently, he is captain of Sri Lanka’s ODI and T20I teams, decided to abide by the ruling.
Malinga informed the MI management that he won’t be available for first six games of the tournament. This became an issue for the team management. Who had depended on an in-form Malinga to shoulder the bowling responsibility with Jasprit Bumrah. The issue has been resolved now and the veteran is with the team to display his prowess again.
