Another IPL legends bring curtains on an illustrious career as Lasith Malinga announces retirement from franchise cricket. The World T20 winning-captain and IPL’s highest wicket-taker was released by Mumbai Indians (MI) on January 20.
The Sri Lankan speedster informed about his decision to the Mumbai Indians management earlier this month, and made himself unavailable for the upcoming season. The franchise said that the management respects Lasith Malinga’s decision.
Malinga has been associated with the Mumbai-based club from the second season of IPL. Since joining the team in 2009, he has only missed two seasons. The Sri Lankan pace bowler has 170 wickets to his name in 122 games for Mumbai Indians, making him the most successful bowler in the league.
Malinga praised the Ambani family and the Mumbai Indians team management in his statement. He said, “After discussing with family, I think now is the right time to retire from all franchise cricket. The Pandemic situation and the restrictions on travel will make it difficult for me given my personal circumstances to participate fully in franchise cricket for the next year and therefore it is best to make this decision now.”
In IPL 2018, the club did not renew Malinga’s contract and brought him as a bowling mentor but in the very next season, he was back on the pitch for MI. For the last edition of the T20 league, he made himself unavailable due to personal reasons.
In Malinga’s absence, Mumbai’s bowling will be spearheaded by the duo of Japrit Bumrah and Trent Boult. The Mumbai based franchise will be looking to add one more pacer to the squad after the departure of Nathan Coulter Nile and James Pattinson. They would look to fill that void in the upcoming mini-auction for the 14th edition of league.
For the mini-auctions, Mumbai Indians has a remaining purse of INR 15.35 crore and here is MI’s 18-member retention squad.
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