Veteran seamer Lasith Malinga, who is a mainstay in the Mumbai Indians bowling artillery, is set to miss at least the first part of IPL 2020, due to personal reasons.
Photos : #TPTopShots – Lasith Malinga
The 13th edition of the IPL is all set to begin on September 19th in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after it was rescheduled and moved from India due to COVID-19.
All eight squads are expected to be quarantined for seven days upon arriving to the UAE by August 22 and will be tested for COVID-19 thrice before entering the bio-bubble.
However, sources have confirmed that Lasith Malinga is unlikely to participate in at least the 1st part of this year’s tournament. Malinga did not travel to the UAE with the Mumbai Indians squad and is reported to have not yet applied for an NOC from Sri Lanka Cricket. Considering the quarantine regulations and the lack of training he has under his belt, the possibility of him missing the entire tourney has not been ruled out.
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Malinga was the one to deliver the crucial last over of the final between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings when the latter needed 9 runs in the over to clinch the title last season. Malinga managed to defend those runs and win the Trophy for Mumbai Indians, their 4th title so far.
Needless to say, Malinga’s absence will be a huge blow for the defending champions this year, with him playing a key role in the squad since the inception of the IPL.
With Lasith Malinga missing out on the tournament, Isuru Udana, representing Royal Challengers Bangalore, will be the only Sri Lankan player in the league. Former Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene, who is part of the coaching panel of Mumbai Indians, has already left to United Arab Emirates to join his squad.
