Three-time champions Mumbai Indians have been given a boost with Sri Lanka pacer Lasith Malinga set to be available for the side’s next two Indian Premier League (IPL) clashes.
Malinga had initially been ruled out of the franchise’s opening six fixtures after he was named as the captain of Galle for Sri Lanka’s Super Provincial One-Day Cup. With Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) making participation in the domestic tournament mandatory for any player to be considered for World Cup selection, Malinga was set to put country over club commitment.
However, according to a report by ESPNcricinfo, SLC have now made the pacer available for Mumbai’s next two IPL fixtures at the behest of the BCCI.
This means Malinga will be available to play for Mumbai’s clashes against Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kings XI Punjab before he returns to Sri Lanka for the Super Provincial One-Day Cup.
The veteran pacer will then rejoin Mumbai Indians after the completion of the domestic tournament.
Malinga is the all-time leading wicket-taker in IPL history.
Malinga’s availability for the two clashes will come as welcome news for Mumbai who are already grappling with the loss of Adam Milne. The New Zealand pacer has been ruled out of the IPL due to a heel injury.
Mumbai were given another scare on Sunday in their IPL 2019 campaign opener on against Delhi Capitals with pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah bruising his shoulder.
The India stalwart injured his shoulder during the final delivery of Delhi’s innings while attempting to field a ball off his own bowling. Bumrah was seen withering in pain subsequently and did not come to bat later during Mumbai’s innings as they fell to a 37-run defeat.
Mumbai will now take on Royal Challengers Bangalore in an away clash on March 28 before taking on Kings XI at Mohali two days later.