Lasith Malinga signs up as Mumbai Indians bowling coach

Lasith Malinga, the legendary Sri Lankan fast bowler, has been announced as the new bowling coach for the Mumbai Indians (MI), the most successful franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He will replace former New Zealand pacer Shane Bond in the role.

Malinga is already the bowling coach for MI New York in Major League Cricket (MLC) and MI Cape Town in SA20. He expressed his excitement and honor at being appointed to the position, and looks forward to working closely with the team.

Lasith Malinga: A MI legend

Malinga has been associated with MI for over a decade, having played for the franchise from 2008 to 2019, except for 2018 when he was the team’s bowling mentor.

He is the all-time leading wicket-taker in the IPL with 170 scalps in 122 matches, at an average of 19.80 and a strike rate of 16.62. He has also taken six four-wicket hauls and one five-wicket haul in the tournament.

Malinga has been a key part of MI’s success, having won seven trophies with the franchise (four IPL, two CLT20, one MLC as bowling coach).

He is known for his lethal yorkers, deceptive slower balls and variations of pace. He has delivered many match-winning performances for MI, especially in crunch situations.

He is also the only bowler to take four wickets in four balls twice in international cricket.

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Some of his memorable moments for MI are:

– Taking five wickets for 13 runs against Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in 2011, which is still the best bowling figures by a MI bowler in the IPL.
– Taking four wickets for 23 runs against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the final of IPL 2013, which MI won by 23 runs.
– Taking three wickets for 14 runs against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the final of CLT20 2013, which MI won by 33 runs.
– Taking four wickets for 37 runs against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in IPL 2019, which helped MI qualify for the playoffs.
– Taking two wickets for 40 runs against CSK in the final of IPL 2019, including a last-ball yorker to dismiss Shardul Thakur and seal a one-run victory for MI.

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Lasith Malinga: A bowling coach

Malinga retired from international cricket in July 2019 after playing his last ODI against Bangladesh. He continued to play T20 leagues around the world until he announced his retirement from all forms of cricket in September 2021.

He then took up coaching roles with MI New York and MI Cape Town, where he mentored young and upcoming bowlers.

Malinga said that he was honored to be appointed as the bowling coach of MI and his journey in the #OneFamily continues, following MI New York and MI Cape Town.

He said that he was looking forward to working closely with Mark Boucher, Kieron Pollard, Rohit Sharma and the rest of the team, especially the bowling unit, whose approach he loved last season, and the young MI talent that has the potential to excel, backed by the passionate MI Paltan.

Malinga will join a MI coaching team led by head coach Mark Boucher, who replaced Mahela Jayawardene after IPL 2020. Boucher is a former South African wicketkeeper-batsman who has coached South Africa and Titans.

Pollard, who is also the captain of MI, will be the batting coach. Pollard is a West Indian all-rounder who has played for MI since 2010 and has scored over 3000 runs and taken over 60 wickets for the franchise.

Malinga will bring his vast experience and expertise to the MI bowling unit, which consists of some of the best bowlers in the world such as Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Adam Milne and Rahul Chahar.

He will also guide and nurture young talents like Marco Jansen, Arjun Tendulkar, Anukul Roy and Mohsin Khan.

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Lasith Malinga: A fan favorite

Malinga is one of the most popular and respected players in the cricket world. He has a huge fan following across countries and cultures.

He is admired for his unique bowling action, his distinctive hairstyle and his humble personality. He is also known for his sportsmanship and camaraderie with his teammates and opponents.

Malinga is a fan favorite among the MI Paltan, the loyal and passionate fan base of MI. He has received immense love and support from the MI fans throughout his career.

He has also expressed his gratitude and affection for the MI fans on many occasions. He has said that MI is like a family to him and he feels at home whenever he plays for MI.

Malinga’s appointment as the bowling coach of MI has been welcomed and celebrated by the MI fans on social media. They have congratulated him and wished him all the best for his new role.

They have also expressed their excitement and eagerness to see him back in the MI dressing room and in the dugout.

Malinga will join the MI squad for the IPL 2024, which is scheduled to start in April next year. He will be hoping to help MI win their sixth IPL title and continue their dominance in the tournament.

He will also be looking to share his knowledge and wisdom with the MI bowlers and inspire them to perform at their best. Malinga will surely add more value and charm to the MI team and the IPL as a whole.