Lasith Malinga news: Mumbai Indians’ fast bowler to skip first few matches of IPL 2020

Lasith Malinga: The veteran Sri Lankan fast bowler will not be available for the first few matches of the Indian Premier League.

Veteran Sri Lanka and Mumbai Indians fast bowler Lasith Malinga will skip the first few matches of the 13th season of the Indian Premier League due to family reasons.

It is being reported that Malinga’s father has been ill in Colombo and might require surgery to recover. In such a scenario, Malinga has chosen to remain by his side at home.

Malinga has been a key figure at Mumbai Indians for more than a decade now. Having made his IPL debut for MI in 2009, the 36-year old player is among the rare players who have only played for one IPL franchise for these many years.

Lasith Malinga to skip first few matches of IPL 2020

It is worth mentioning that Malinga had missed an IPL match for Indians in the previous season as well when he traveled back to Sri Lanka to take part in the Super Four Provincial Limited Over Tournament.

While there is no confirmation on when Malinga will reach UAE, one believes that the experienced bowler will be available for the second half of IPL 2020. An absolute legend of the game in this format, Malinga had defended nine runs in the final of IPL 2019 to steal a 1-run victory against Chennai Super Kings.

Having picked 170 wickets in 122 matches at an average of 19.80, an economy rate of 7.14 and a strike rate of 16.62, Malinga is the highest wicket-taker in the history of Indian Premier League.

MI, who have a star-studded fast bowling lineup comprising of Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan Coulter-Nile and Dhawal Kulkarni, are unlikely to rope in a replacement for Malinga.