Lasith Malinga, Mumbai Indians’ (MI) bowling coach, demonstrated his abilities even after retirement by hitting the bullseye while other bowlers failed at an IPL 2024 nets practice.
Lasith Malinga, now 40, last featured in IPL in 2019. Yet, he stands seventh in wicket-takers with 170 dismissals from 122 matches. At his prime, Lasith Malinga was renowned as the premier death bowler. He was a pivotal member of MI’s five title triumphs.
As Arjun Tendulkar and a handful of other MI bowlers missed one stump, Lasith Malinga easily hit timber, much to his joy.
I’ve included a video of it here:
Unfortunately for MI, Malinga’s experience has not yet translated to their bowlers, as the squad allowed the highest team total in League history against SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) of 277/3 in 20 overs.
Mumbai Indians, crowned champions five times, find themselves in an unfavorable eighth position on the points table. One victory from four matches played thus far. Their sole respite: snapping a three-game losing start by securing a win against Delhi Capitals in their most recent clash.
MI face arch-rivals RCB and CSK in their next two matches
As MI attempts to recover from a sluggish start to the IPL 2024, they will try to demonstrate their supremacy over arch-rivals RCB and CSK in their following two matches.
Mumbai Indians’ encounters against Royal Challengers Bangalore total 32, with a narrow lead of 18 wins to 14. Desperation grips both squads, RCB especially, having secured just one victory in five matches played.
Meanwhile, the MI-CSK rivalry is unquestionably the most intense in the IPL, with the two clubs combining to win ten titles. MI has a 20-16 lead in 36 head-to-head matchups, despite CSK winning both matches last year.
Unlike MI and RCB, CSK has been in excellent form, winning three of their five matches.
India’s cricket icon trio—Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni—will add excitement and fan rivalries to the MI-RCB and MI-CSK matches. Their all-time greatness amplifies these clashes.
On April 11, MI faces RCB at Wankhede Stadium. Then, on April 14, the same venue hosts MI versus CSK—an eagerly awaited showdown.
