Defending champions Mumbai Indians will miss their star fast bowler Lasith Malinga in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL). The responsibility will be on Jasprit Bumrah to lead the pace attack in the UAE. However, Brett Lee has backed Bumrah to fill the void created by Malinga’s absence.

Incidentally, there were doubts about the participation of the Sri Lankan speedster. It turned into reality as Mumbai Indians announced James Pattinson as his replacement. While there is a doubt over Pattinson featuring in the playing XI, the onus will be on Bumrah.

Bumrah can fill the void created by Malinga’s absence

He will have the likes of Trent Boult, Mitchell McLenaghan, and Nathan Coulter-Nile to support. Although the attack looks threatening but missing Malinga is always a big factor. But former Australian pacer Brett Lee believes Jasprit Bumrah can fill the void created by Lasith Malinga’s absence.

‘I have always been a Bumrah fan ever since he burst into the scenes some years ago. He has got a different bowling action, he pushes the ball in and can swing the ball both ways,” Brett Lee said on Star Sports show ‘Game Plan’

Also read: IPL 2020: Match 1 – Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings – Match Prediction

“He is good with the new ball but I like him with the old ball and that’s why he can fill the shoes of Malinga and can bowl at death overs. He can bowl at 140kmph and zoom the ball in at the batsman’s feet. He is bowling yorkers consistently and there are very less bowlers like that, so he can fill those shoes,” he added.

Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah will also return to action after a gap of five months owing to the novel coronavirus. But he has looked in rhythm during training sessions and is likely to fire from the first ball.

Mumbai Indians begin their IPL 2020 campaign against Chennai Super Kings on September 19 (Saturday) at Abu Dhabi.