Lasith Malinga, considered to be one of the greatest limited overs bowlers in history, turns 37 today and tributes poured in for the leading wicket-taker in IPL history as the 2020 edition of the tournament comes closer. Mumbai Indians, the one franchise with whom Malinga has served ever since the beginning, led the tributes for him along with the ICC and other major personalities on social media.
Lasith Malinga is considered one of the greatest limited overs bowlers of all times. He is the leading wicket-taker of the IPL with 170 wickets in his 12-year career playing for the Mumbai Indians. Malinga’s exploits have been known the world over and he is the best exponent of the yorker and in the death overs. It is thanks to Malinga that Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been inspired and has honed his skills. Malinga has been a vital cog in all of Mumbai Indians’ four IPL titles in 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019. In 2019, with Chennai Super Kings needing just two runs off one ball, Malinga bowled a slow off-cutter that deceived Shardul Thakur and he was trapped in front to give Mumbai Indians the title by one run.
Malinga turns 37 on August 28 and this could potentially be the last time he turns up for Mumbai Indians in the IPL. Batting a degenerate knee condition, Malinga has already retired from ODIs in 2019 and it seems like with the postponement of the ICC World T20, it might be time for Malinga to retire from all forms of cricket. On the occasion of his birthday, the ICC and Mumbai Indians led the tribute to him and this was followed by plenty of fans wishing him.
Title No.5 for MI?
Mumbai Indians will be gunning for their fifth IPL title as they look to get back in the competitive spirit for the 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League. With Rohit Sharma in top form and with the likes of the Pandya brothers (Hardik and Krunal), their batting looks settled. With the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mitchell McClenaghan and Lasith Malinga in their line-up, Mumbai Indians have the potential to break their jinx of winning the IPL title only during the odd years.
Mumbai Indians have won three out of their four IPL titles by beating MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings. In 2017, Dhoni was the captain but he was playing for the Rising Pune Supergiant and in the final in Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians held their nerve thanks to a special over from Mitchell Johnson as they won the title by one run.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Lasith Malinga IPL 2020")
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}