'Lasith Malinga is my guy' - Kevin Pietersen while picking the Sri Lankan as greatest ever IPL bowler

The Indian Premier League (IPL), on April 18, entered into its 13th year. On the eve of the same, a jury comprising of 50 members picked the best ever players for certain categories in the T20 extravaganza over the last 12 year. While MS Dhoni was named the GOAT captain, Virat Kohli walked away with the greatest Indian batsman title. AB de Villiers was picked as the greatest batsman while Lasith Malinga was named the greatest bowler in the history of the IPL.

While there were a few debates about the other awards, it seems Malinga was the unanimous choice in the best bowlers’ category. And it was the perfect choice for what he has done over the years in the format. He is the highest wicket-taker in the history of the cash-rich league with 170 scalps to his name in 122 matches at an impeccable average of 19.79 and a brilliant economy of just over 7.

Kevin Pietersen was also the part of the jury which picked Lasith Malinga as the winner and the former praised the Sri Lankan veteran for the way he has bowled in the league over the years. He also went on to say that he would’ve gone with Sunil Narine but pointed out that the Caribbean bowler has bowled on helpful wickets unlike Malinga who has time and again delivered in tough situations and on flat pitches.

Malinga’s consistent use of yorkers make everyone talk about it, says Pietersen

The former England cricketer also added that Narine’s action has also come under the scanner before while Lasith Malinga’s exceptional use of yorker has been talked about every time. “I’m going with Lasith. You look at the numbers he has served up and the way he has consistently used that yorker, that makes everyone talk about it. Malinga is my guy.

“I would go with Narine, but he has bowled on wickets which helped turn. Also, he has been questioned on a few occasions for this suspect bowling action, so I am afraid to say that I am going with Malinga,” Kevin Pietersen said while speaking in Star Sports’ Cricket Connected.

Apart from him, the likes of Dean Jones, Mathew Hayden, Aakash Chopra, Graeme Smith, Simon Doull, Ian Bishop and Tom Moody all voted in Lasith Malinga’s favour for the GOAT IPL bowler award.