IPL 2019 | Lasith Malinga likely to join Mumbai Indians squad today
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Lasith Malinga's uncertainty over joining the Mumbai Indians' side might come to an end as the SLC has given its nod to allow him to join his IPL side. It was widely expected that the pacer will miss the first 6 matches for his side, but now he is likely to be available for the next 3 matches.
Mumbai Indians bowlers were taken for the cleaners by Delhi Capitals in their first match this season on Sunday as they were hit for 213 runs in 20 overs. After suchĀ scathing, it will come as a delight for the Rohit Sharma-led side that Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga is likely to join them after getting a green signal from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).
Before the Indian Premier League auctions in December 2018, the SLC had confirmed Malingaās availability for the full season of IPL, after which, the Mumbai-based franchise had reportedly decided to go for him in the auctions. However, the board made a U-TurnĀ and announced that all the cricketers, including Malinga, should play in the Super Provincial One Day domestic tournament, scheduled between April 4-11, to secure their place in the World Cup squad. The apex governing body, reportedly, asked Malinga to join his IPL side only after the completion of this tournament.
This irked the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) and they sent a strong message to the SLC citing their unfair behaviour of pulling out a crucial player at the last hour.Ā Post BCCIās message, there has been some communication between the two boards, and the SLC has agreed to allow Malinga to participate in the cash-rich league for his sideās next three matches against Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kings XI Punjab and Chennai Super Kings to be played on March 28, March 30 and April 3, respectively.
The Sri Lanka ODI captain will then leave for Sri Lanka for the domestic tournamentĀ and then will join his side once again after April 11. During this duration, he will miss two matches against Kings XI Punjab and Sunrisers Hyderabad to be played on March 30 and April 6, respectively, after having missed the first encounter against Delhi Capitals on March 24. This will make him miss three matches, against the earlier reported six matches.
The highest wicket-taker for Sri Lanka in T20Is was not picked up by any team in the 2018 auctions, however, he was still associated with Mumbai Indians as their mentor. He showed good form in international cricket after his return with the 2018 Asia CupĀ and was picked up by Mumbai franchise for his base price of Rs. 2 crores, the same side for whom he has scalped a record 154 wickets in 110 matches.
