Lasith Malinga recalls his journey with Mumbai Indians

Sri Lanka cricket stalwart Lasith Malinga recently announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, ending a memorable career. Over the years, IPL has served as a great platform for young players to get into the limelight. Same was the case with Malinga, who was roped in by Mumbai Indians in the 2008 Indian Premier League (IPL). Malinga got a lot of fame while playing for Mumbai Indians and he did pay dividends by playing crucial roles in many of MI's memorable wins. He is also credited for grooming the young Mumbai pacers. The likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya credit Malinga for their growth as fast bowlers. Fittingly, he ended his Mumbai Indians career with an IPL trophy in 2019.

Malinga, who is the highest wicket-taker in IPL with 170 scalps in 122 games recently recalled his memorable journey with Mumbai Indians. The veteran said that playing for Mumbai Indians helped him earn a lot of fans in India and around the world.

“When I played with Mumbai Indians, I got many fans in India and all over the world. I feel all the young cricketers have a dream – to play franchise cricket, especially IPL, and the national team,” the official website of Mumbai Indians quoted Malinga as saying. “That is why I want to share my experience with Mumbai Indians, who have an excellent support staff. That is why I want to explain how I entered the IPL team.”

Malinga was roped in by Mumbai Indians in 2008. The pacer revealed how his manager conveyed the message of his selection. Malinga could not make his IPL debut in 2008 as a knee injury ruled him out of the season. He got to play his first game for Mumbai Indians in 2009 against Chennai Super Kings. “In 2008, I got the opportunity to put down my name for the auction. After that, I got a call from my manager who told me that I’d got a chance to play with Mumbai Indians that year,” he added. “He asked me not to worry, and that two other Sri Lankan cricketers were there. He also mentioned that I got good owners – Mr. Mukesh Ambani and Mrs. Nita Ambani.”

Malinga further revealed that sharing the dressing room with legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Sanath Jayasuriya and Shaun Pollock was a great learning experience for him. “The manager also mentioned about the team’s support staff and the team having the most experienced players of that time. I had only 3.5 years of international experience. I felt it was good to go there and get some experience to play for the national team,” said Malinga.

Malinga ended his career with 446 international wickets. He’s also the only skipper to lead Sri Lanka to a T20 World Cup win, having won the title in 2014.