Lasith Malinga is the all-time leading wicket-taker for the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League. In 122 games, Lasith Malinga has picked up 170 wickets and it has been his contributions with the ball that has played a major hand in Mumbai Indians’ four titles. In IPL 2019, Malinga overcame all the horrors to deliver the perfect slower delivery in the final ball of the final against Chennai Super Kings as Mumbai Indians clinched the title in the most dramatic fashion.
Speaking in the press conference ahead of their IPL 2020 clash against Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma said the team will miss the services of Lasith Malinga in IPL 2020. The Sri Lankan pacer will miss the entire tournament in order to take care of his father who is unwell.
“It will be very difficult to fill Lasith Malinga’s shoes. Whenever we have found ourselves in trouble, he has bailed us out many times. Whatever he has achieved for Mumbai Indians, it is unbelievable. He is a match-winner in every sense. It is unfortunate that he will not be playing IPL 2020,” Rohit Sharma said.
'What Malinga did for Mumbai it's just not comparable. You just have to leave him aside and not look for a replacement'
Rohit Sharma heaps praise on @mipaltan legend Lasith Malinga ahead of their #IPL2020 opener pic.twitter.com/9cHx9UKjzL
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) September 18, 2020