The Indian Premier League team Mumbai Indians announced on Friday that veteran Sri Lankan bowler Lasith Malinga has been hired as their bowling coach, quickly filling the gap created by Shane Bond’s resignation.
Prior to the current season, the 40-year-old Malinga, who represented the five-time champions during his playing days, will join the coaching staff run by Mark Boucher and his former colleague Kieron Pollard.
The three ex-cricketers, according to the organization, “will be forging a strong partnership in the dugout.”
The former slinger has also worked as the bowling coach for MI Cape Town in SA20 and MI New York in Major League Cricket.
In particular, the bowling unit, whose strategy I enjoyed last season, and the young MI talent that has the ability to thrive, supported by the enthusiastic MI Paltan, are two areas where Malinga is looking forward to working closely with Mark, Polly, Rohit, and the rest of the squad, she added.
Malinga’s bowling has helped Sri Lanka win crucial matches both in international cricket and in the IPL for MI.
Since joining MI in 2008, the former top pacer has spent almost 13 years there: 11 as a player and 1 (IPL 2018) as MI’s bowling coach. This year, he worked on the MI NY crew.
Malinga has won seven titles with the wider MI group, which also comprised MI New York and MI Cape Town, including four IPL, two CLT20, and an MLC.
Malinga served with the Rajasthan Royals up to this year before retiring in 2021.
In terms of Bond, he has been involved with MI since 2015 and has helped the team’s bowling coach win four IPL championships.