Mumbai Indians (MI) bowling coach Lasith Malinga feels that the return of star combo Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya is the finest thing the team can look forward to in the IPL 2024.
While Jasprit Bumrah missed the IPL 2023 due to an injury, Hardik spent the last two seasons with the Gujarat Titans before returning to MI in an off-season all-cash transaction.
Despite their absence, MI finished third last season, falling in Qualifier 2 to eventual runners-up GT.
Malinga told reporters after the MI junior tournament that he believes Bumrah and Hardik offer valuable expertise to the table.
“Experience, we can’t buy that. They are in top form as well. Bumrah has been playing Test cricket over the last few months and has performed really well. Plus, they have the knowledge and experience of T20 cricket. How they handle things, they can share with all the youngsters in our team. This is the best thing to have happened in MI.”
Lasith Malinga
While Jasprit Bumrah played a key role in MI’s five IPL wins from 2013 to 2020, Hardik Pandya contributed to their past four victories in 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020.
The all-rounder will also captain MI in the next season, having previously led GT to titles and runners-up finishes in 2022 and 2023.
“We always want big-hearted bowlers” – Lasith Malinga
Contrary to popular assumption, Lasith Malinga believes that bowlers are the true match-winners in T20.
During the mini-auction, MI made significant investments in their pace-bowling department, acquiring Gerald Coetzee, Dilshan Madushanka, and Nuwan Thushara, among others.
“Most people think T20 is the batters’ game, but I still feel bowlers win matches. That’s why we (MI) want big-hearted bowlers. Like Boom (Bumrah) and Aksah Madhwal, for example. These are two good Indian bowlers who have experience of playing (for MI). MI always believes in having a proper fast-bowling unit. And I feel we have got that this time.”
Lasith Malinga
Malinga also mentioned working closely with Akash Madhwal, who filled in for Bumrah last year with 14 wickets in eight games.
“He is good and has a lot of potential. Confidence-wise he is really strong. He knows exactly what to do. We just have to keep talking to him. I want to know what he is from the inside. I like to share my experiences with him, and try and get from him his thought process about things.”
Lasith Malinga
Madhwal’s outstanding efforts in the second half of the IPL 2023 season helped MI get to the playoffs. The five-time champions begin their 2024 season with a showdown against the GT in Ahmedabad on March 24.