New Delhi: One of the best pacers in the world, former Sri Lanka legend Lasith Malinga is all set to return to the Mumbai Indians camp for Indian Premier Leagues (IPL) 2024, but this time in a new role as a bowling coach. The 39-year-old right-arm-fast will replace New Zealand’s fast bowler Shane Bond, who held the position for past nine season.
Malinga’s career as coach in IPL
After retiring in 2021, Malinga joined the Rajasthan Royals as fast bowling coach in 2022, a position he held for two seasons. This will be Malinga’s second stint with the Mumbai Support Team after serving as a mentor in 2018.
A year later, Malinga returned to the pitch to share bowling duties with Jasprit Bumrah, and the pair played a key role in Mumbai winning their fourth IPL title.
Malinga’s IPL career
Malinga has won a total of five titles with Mumbai: four IPL (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019) and Champions League T20 in 2011. Malinga made a total of 139 appearances for Mumbai, taking 195 wickets and posting a saving percentage of 7.12. 170 of those wickets came from the IPL, sixth most in the league overall.
Shane Bond as Mumbai Indians bowling coach
Bond arrived in Mumbai in 2015 and played a key role alongside Rohit Sharma and Mahela Jayawardene, who served as head coaches from 2017 to 2022. It’s unclear if Bond will remain head coach of the MI Emirates at the ILT20, which kicked off in January, but the Emirates will compete in a six-team tournament before facing the reigning champions Gujarat Giants in the second qualifier. Finished 3rd in the points table.
