(Image Source: AFP)
[Saba Sports News] Mumbai Indians have named Lasith Malinga, the veteran Sri Lankan fast bowler, as their bowling coach for the IPL 2024 season, as per a statement from the franchise. Malinga, a Mumbai Indians legend who played for the team for over a decade from 2009 to 2019, will join the Mark Boucher-led coaching staff for the upcoming season. Kieron Pollard, Malinga’s former Mumbai Indians teammate, is also part of the coaching setup.
Malinga is currently serving as the bowling coach for two other teams affiliated with the Mumbai Indians: MI Cape Town in the SA20 league in South Africa and MI New York in Major League Cricket in the USA.
Expressing his gratitude and excitement, Malinga stated, “It is truly an honor for me to be appointed as the Bowling Coach of Mumbai Indians, and my journey with the OneFamily continues after working with MI New York and MI Cape Town. I am looking forward to collaborating closely with Mark, Polly, Rohit, and the rest of the team, especially the bowling unit, whose approach I admired last season. I am also excited about the young MI talent, which has the potential to excel, supported by the passionate MI Paltan.”
Malinga’s association with the Mumbai Indians spans nearly 13 years, during which he clinched seven trophies with the franchise across various leagues. This includes four IPL titles, two Champions League T20 titles as a player, and one Major League Cricket title as a bowling coach. He had previously served as the fast bowling coach of the Rajasthan Royals.