Mumbai Indians (MI) bowling coach Lasith Malinga has joined the team’s camp to begin preparations for the upcoming IPL 2024. Hardik Pandya, the newly anointed captain, and a few other MI players have already joined the squad in Mumbai.
Malinga was the bowling coach for the Rajasthan Royals (RR) for a few seasons after retiring as a player following a successful IPL 2019 campaign with MI. After IPL 2023, the Mumbai franchise severed ways with long-time bowling coach Shane Bond and hired Malinga.
MI posted a video on their official Instagram account informing supporters of Malinga’s arrival in the camp. Hardik welcomes him with a loving embrace. In addition, the Sri Lankan began practicing with other young bowlers, including Arjun Tendulkar, in the net.
Mumbai Indians titled their post:
“???????????????????????? ????????????????????????????. Bowling coach. Reporting for duty ???????? #OneFamily #MumbaiIndians @malinga_ninety9 @hardikpandya93
Mumbai Indians Set for IPL 2024 Opener Against Gujarat Titans on March 24
Hardik Pandya embarks on a fresh chapter, leading Mumbai Indians (MI) as captain. His inaugural match will pit him against his former team, Gujarat Titans (GT), in Ahmedabad on March 24th. For two seasons, Pandya captained the GT side. The all-rounder tasted triumph with GT in their debut 2022 campaign, hoisting the IPL trophy. However, the following year witnessed defeat in the final against Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
MI made a startling decision by bringing Hardik Pandya back to the squad in an all-money transaction last November, and then replacing Rohit Sharma as captain.