Lasith Malinga prefers Mumbai Indians over Dambulla

Lasith Malinga, the speedster from Sri Lanka is probably the most decorated cricketer in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL). His ability to bowl yorkers with great accuracy had ensured that he was among the most sought-after bowlers in T20 cricket. Over the years, batsmen found it difficult to get used to Malinga’s unorthodox action who bamboozles them with his pinpoint accuracy.

The Mumbai Indians have to thank Malinga for making them the most successful side in the IPL. He played a major role in taking his side over the line on numerous occasions. However, fitness concerns have affected his performance and he has been out of the national team for quite some time now. Apart from his fitness, Malinga seems to have lost his magic with the ball as he went unsold in the IPL 2018 auction. The men in blue did not want to part ways with Malinga and acquired his services as a mentor.

A chance to make a comeback

The Sri Lankan cricket board issued an ultimatum to Malinga asking him to return home and feature in the Inter-Provincial One-Day tournament to boost his chances of making a comeback into the national team. The pacer last represented the country more than seven months ago in the home series against India and since then has been overlooked for the tours of UAE, India, Bangladesh and the Nidahas Trophy at home.

Malinga was named in the Dambulla squad but missed the first match as he preferred to stay with the Mumbai Indians.

“We have informed Lasith that he has been selected. If he doesn’t play the Inter-Provincial tournament, it is unlikely that the selectors will consider him,” SLC CEO Ashley de Silva was quoted as saying by cricbuzz.com.

Since his return from injury, Malinga has taken just ten wickets in 13 ODIs at a disappointing average of 62 which is way above his career average of 28. Malinga’s 90 wickets in T20Is is the most by a Sri Lankan bowler while only three other from the country have taken more wickets than him in ODIs – Muttiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas and Sanath Jayasuriya.

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