Five-time champions Mumbai Indians have announced former Sri Lanka cricketer Lasith Malinga as their new bowling coach, ahead of the IPL 2024 season.
The 40-year-old Malinga replaces former New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond who recently parted ways with the franchise.
The Mumbai Indians legend, who played for the franchise for over a decade between 2009 and 2019, will join the coaching team led by Mark Boucher, and his former teammate, Kieron Pollard.
With this, Malinga extends his involvement within the “#OneFamily” with MI as his third team – bowling coach for MI New York in Major League Cricket, USA and MI Cape Town in the SA20 league, South Africa.
“It is truly an honour for me to be appointed Bowling Coach of Mumbai Indians and my journey in the #OneFamily continues, following MI New York and MI Cape Town,” said Malinga in a statement issued by Mumbai Indians.
“I am looking forward to working closely with Mark, Polly, Rohit and the rest of the team, especially the bowling unit, whose approach I loved last season, and the young MI talent that has the potential to excel, backed by the passionate MI Paltan,” he added.
Notably, Lasith was the most feared bowler every time he went to the top of his run up, and in many instances, has won titles and crunch games with his bowling and has also made clutch plays in key moments to deliver for the team.
Malinga has spent close to 13 years with Mumbai Indians since 2008 – 11 years as a player, 1 year (IPL 2018) as MI bowling mentor and 2023 MI NY Bowling Coach, having won 7 trophies with the #OneFamily (4 IPL, 2 CLT20, 1 MLC as bowling coach).
