Losing one bowler on the eve of the tournament represents a challenge. Losing two is something of a crisis.

That’s the reality Mumbai Indians are facing up to after being shorn of overseas fast bowlers Lasith Malinga and Adam Milne ahead of their Sunday opener versus Delhi Capitals.

According to ESPNCricinfo, New Zealand pacer Milne has withdrawn from IPL 2019 due to a heel problem – the report coming mere hours after Malinga pulled out of his own volition.

Malinga, 35, has decided to participate in Sri Lanka’s Super Provincional One Day Tournament – a prerequisite for selection ahead of the World Cup in May.

“I’m ok with losing those earnings from IPL. I’m doing it for the country,” Malinga, who will miss at least six IPL matches, told ESPNCricinfo.

“Once I become available for Mumbai Indians, I would have missed seven or eight games. “So there’s probably no point in them waiting around for me. Better for them to find someone else to replace me with.”

Whether Mumbai retains Malinga or not, only Kiwi Mitchell McClenaghan and Australia duo Ben Cutting and Jason Behrendorff remain as overseas fast bowling options.

It is believed that West Indies talent Alzarri Joseph – who helped his nation to a Test series over England in February despite the death of his mother – is being considered as a possible replacement.

Jasprit Bumrah, Barinder Sran and all-rounder Hardik Pandya are the Indian pace options for Mumbai.