Veteran fast bowler from Sri Lanka Lasith Malinga will miss the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League. Australian fast bowler James Pattinson will replace the star fast bowler in the Mumbai camp.
Meanwhile, Malinga had decided to skip the 13th edition of the tournament owing to personal decisions. He has expressed his desire to stay with his family in these difficult times in Sri Lanka.
Lasith Malinga bows out of IPL 2020
Previously, a report in ESPNCricinfo suggests that Malinga’s father has been unwell since the last few days and may require surgery in the coming weeks. They had earlier reported that Lasith Malinga will miss the initial phase of IPL 2020. But now, he will miss the entire season in the UAE.
Senior Australian pacer James Pattinson will replace the veteran pacer in the Mumbai Indians camp. He will join the camp in Abu Dhabi this weekend. Mumbai owner Akash Ambani welcomed James on board and extended all support to Lasith.
“James is the right fit for us and adds to our pace attack options available at hand especially for the conditions we will play in this season,” Ambani as quoted to Mumbai Indians website.
Lasith Malinga has been an integral part of Mumbai Indians. He has played significant roles in helping the Rohit Sharma-led side win the title four times. Malinga’s last-over heroics in the IPL 2019 final helped Mumbai win their fourth title against Chennai Super Kings.
The 37-year-old has played 122 games in the IPL scalping 170 wickets with the best figures of five for 13. It will be a massive blow for the defending champions Mumbai Indians, who will now have to rely on Jasprit Bumrah in the death overs.
The defending champions are likely to play the IPL 2020 opener against Royal Challengers Bangalore on September 19. The final of the tournament will take place on November 10.
