Veteran Sri Lankan fast pitcher Lasith Malinga announced on Wednesday that he will not be available for the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League that kicks off on September 19. The Mumbai Indians announced Australian sprinter James Pattinson as Malinga’s replacement for the upcoming season.
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Mumbai Indians owner Akash Ambani welcomed Pattinson on board and offered his full support to Malinga. “James is a perfect fit for us and adds to our pace the attacking options available, especially for the conditions in which we will play this season in the United Arab Emirates,” he said in the press release.
“Lasith is a legend and a pillar of MI’s strength. There’s no denying the fact that we will miss Lasith’s acumen for cricket this season. However, we fully understand Lasith’s need to be in Sri Lanka with his family during this time.
“Mumbai Indians is built on the values of ‘One Family’ and our team members and their well-being will always be of the utmost importance to us,” he added. “We welcome James to our One Family.”
Malinga is the IPL’s top wicket receiver with 170 wickets and last year he helped MI secure a fourth title, winning the final against the Chennai Super Kings with the last ball. With CSK needing two to win the last ball and one to tie, Malinga pulled Shardul Thakur out of LBW. After his first three overs of 42 runs, Malinga responded with a roar to concede just seven in the deciding finish of the match.
It was in March that Malinga last played any form of cricket, when he participated in a T20I against the West Indies in Galle. Surprisingly, in June, when the 24-member Sri Lankan team for a second residential training camp was announced, Malinga was not part of it.
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