After being unsold in the IPL auction a few weeks back, Lasith Malinga has finally found an IPL team for this season.
Advertisement
The Sri Lankan has found a way back to his old side, Mumbai Indians, as Malinga has been roped in as the bowling mentor for MI.
Nita Ambani has long since said that she wants to keep the MI family together, one of the reasons why they went for Keiron Pollard during the auction.
While not totally unexpected, Lasith Malinga going unsold in the IPL auction was still a surprise, as the IPL legend’s days at the highest level may finally be numbered.
The all-time leading wicket taker in IPL history, Malinga’s powers have been on the wane for the past few years, as there has been a gradual decrease in the Sri Lankan’s proficiency with the ball .
Known to swing the bowl both ways, Malinga’s strongest weapon was his yorker, as he possessed one of the best yorkers in world cricket.
With a wonderful slower ball to boot, Malinga’s three-pronged attack was at times unplayable, as he rightly claimed the title as the greatest bowler in IPL history.
But he will not be seen in next year’s IPL, as Malinga was by-passed by all eight teams in the auction. Even Mumbai Indians did not go back in for him, as we will no longer hear the ‘Malinga Malinga’ chants emanate around the Wankhede stadium.
Speaking to Sunday Times, this is what Malinga had to say,
“If my services are not required any longer as a player, it’s time to move on. I know there’s still cricket left in me and if I cannot contribute as a player, I am ready to venture into mentoring leading up to the World Cup.”
“If someone calls me today and says ‘Look, we would like to have you within our coaching team for the World Cup’, I am ready to accept it. Not because of anything but I want to share my knowledge with others when I can.”
And his old team has come to his aid, as Malinga will now forever have a home within the Mumbai Indians!
