Former Sri Lanka fast bowler Lasith Malinga has hanged his boots for the final time earlier this week when he announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. He was a regular feature in the Indian Premier League and found huge success in the league.
Malinga provided his best of services to Mumbai Indians during the peak time of his career and won four IPL titles with the franchise. He ended his IPL career by delivering the last ball that won Mumbai Indians their fourth title.
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Malinga revealed playing for Mumbai Indians gave him a huge fanbase in India and around the world.
“When I played with the Mumbai Indians, I got many fans in India and all over the world. I feel all young cricketers have a dream – to play franchise cricket, especially the IPL, and the national team. That is why I want to share my experience with Mumbai Indians, who have an excellent support staff. That is why I want to explain how I entered the IPL team,” the official website of Mumbai Indians quoted Malinga as saying.
“In 2008, I got the opportunity to put down my name for the auction. After that, I got a call from my manager, who told me that I’d got a chance to play with Mumbai Indians that year. He asked me not to worry, and that two other Sri Lankan cricketers were there,” he added.
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Veteran pacer mentioned how he missed the inaugural season of the IPL due to a knee injury. But turning up for Mumbai Indians in the following season revived his career despite losing the central contract at one point.
“In 2008, I was really unlucky. First, I got a knee injury, then I missed the IPL and I lost the Sri Lankan annual contract. In 2009, after one and half years, all the doctors and physios said that if I wanted to play, I would have to start short format games to continue my cricketing journey. It meant that I would have to play T20s,” he mentioned.
“But I didn’t get any chance to play in the national team and I had only one option: to go to South Africa and play in the IPL. I explained this to the Sri Lankan Cricket board and they understood the situation. In 2009, I finally went to South Africa to meet my MI team,” he added.
