Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga, who has been an integral part of the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League, is all set to get released for the IPL Auctions.
Mumbai Indians aren’t keen on retaining the speedster considering that he is in the twilight of his career and doesn’t look anywhere near his peak and is having issues with fitness. Mumbai Indians though still have the option to pick the 34-year-old in the auction- a move which hasn’t been ruled out by the franchise yet.
“As per the rules, Every team can preserve maximum four to five players, Mumbai Indians team management is on the opinion to release the Slinga Malinga,” a source close to Mumbai Indians was quoted as saying by the Cricket Age.
“The Mumbai Indians can also buy him back, but as far as the auction is concerned, it looks like Lasith Malinga will find himself in the pool of players up for grabs,” the source further added. The move seemed unthinkable even a couple of years ago.
Malinga has been the most successful bowler for the Mumbai Indians and has been part of the franchise from the very first season though he didn’t play in the 1st edition of the tournament.
The like for like replacement for the franchise is Jasprit Bumrah who is currently the top-ranked bowler in T20I’s and is expected to lead Mumbai’s pace attack once the next season of the IPL gets underway. Rohit Sharma who led the franchise to their 3rd IPL title earlier in the year will look forward to forming a solid base even next year.
Meanwhile, a franchise is allowed to retain a maximum of 3 players, and by the look of things Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Kieron Pollard can be the three players retained by the Mumbai Indians.
