Mumbai Indians (MI) will be missing veteran fast bowler Lasith Malinga who is unavailable for the 13th edition.
Ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020, Mumbai Indians (MI) will be missing their veteran fast bowler Lasith Malinga who is unavailable for the 13th edition. The franchise announced Australian speedster James Pattinson as Malinga’s replacement.
In the Mumbai Indians press release, owner Akash Ambani extended full support to Malinga.
“Lasith is a legend and a pillar of MI’s strength. There is no denying the fact that we will miss Lasith’s cricketing acumen this season. However, we fully understand Lasith’s need to be in Sri Lanka with his family during this time.
“Mumbai Indians is founded on the values of ‘One Family’ and for us, the members of our squad and their wellbeing will always hold utmost importance,” he added. “We welcome James to our One Family.”
With this news, netizens ask has MI ever won a trophy without Malinga in the squad?
1. 'Lasith Malinga has always been MI's key bowler'
2. 'Two of the greatest players in ipl history are missing'
3. 'Major blow for MI'
4. Not just Lasith Malinga, even Suresh Raina to miss IPL 2020
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Suresh Raina shocked everyone when he decided to pull out of IPL 2020 for personal reasons. The Chinna Thala, who had announced his retirement from international cricket on the same day as MS Dhoni, had come with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) side to the UAE
The left-hander, was, however, reported to be uneasy in the bio-bubble after 13 staff members and two players - Deepak Chahar and Ruturaj Gaikwad - tested positive for coronavirus.
Raina's also experienced a family tragedy in Pathankot that saw his uncle murdered and his aunt wounded.
5. IPL schedule
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The 13th edition will begin from September 19, however, the BCCI is yet to announce the schedule for the upcoming season.
According to sources, some of the franchises have ‘requested’ the Indian cricket board to announce the schedule ‘quickly’.
“God knows, when will they (BCCI) share the schedule with us. We have requested the BCCI — both orally and through texts — to make it quick as we have to plan accordingly,” a team source told from UAE.
The reason behind the delay is said to be the sudden spike in COVID-19 cases in Abu Dhabi - which is one of the main venues of the tournament - apart from Sharjah and Dubai, sources said.
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