IPL 2019: Lasith Malinga’s new variation is working perfectly for Mumbai Indians this season

Mumbai Indians defeated Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium the other night in the final encounter of league stages of IPL 2019, to reach the top of the points table and secure a place in the first qualifier against Chennai Super Kings.

They held an iron tight grip on the KKR team in what was a must-win encounter for the purple outfits to make the playoffs. One of the biggest reasons for that was Lasith Malinga, who picked three wickets and showed off his newest variation in the match. His and other bowling efforts led to KKR being kept to 133/7 in their quota of 20 overs, which was easily chased down thanks to fifty from Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav.

Lasith Malinga unveils new variation in the match

Given that T20 cricket is evolving day by day, even the players need to keep themselves bringing in newer things. Mumbai Indians coach Mahela Jayawardena revealed that in a tournament like the IPL, it is important to try out newer ideas. One of those ideas was to have Lasith Malinga bowl around the wicket. “We have been working on it for a week or so, trying to create a different angle because the batsmen (maybe) getting used to him. That’s something we are practicing,” Jayawardene was quoted as saying by Sportstar.

“He had a good practice session yesterday and he felt very good. We told him it’s about time he tries it in a game. That’s a thing in modern day cricket, even though you have been great, you still have to find new ways of creating things. It was nice to see him opening up for that idea and getting rewards,” Jayawardena was further quoted as saying.

Lasith Malinga has to leave the tournament midway to play in Sri Super Provincial Limited Over Tournament and helped his team Galle win the tournament and also showed the Lankan selectors he was fit enough to go to World Cup. Malinga has played 10 games this season for Mumbai Indians and picked 15 wickets so far.

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