Lasith Malinga is set to miss the first part of the 2020 IPL for Mumbai Indians. ESPNcricinfo understands Malinga will not be travelling to the UAE, where the IPL will be played from September 19 to November 10, and will miss the initial games due to personal reasons.
It is understood Malinga’s father has been ill and may require surgery in the coming weeks. The fast bowler wants to be by his side and will be training in Colombo.
Malinga defended eight runs in the final over of the IPL final against Chennai Super Kings last year, that too after he had leaked 42 runs in his first three overs. Bowling the last over, he conceded just seven runs off the first five balls and then took a wicket, of Shardul Thakur, on the final delivery when the Super Kings needed two to win, to seal a record fourth title for Mumbai.
Malinga, who will turn 37 next week, last featured for Sri Lanka in a T20I during the home series against West Indies in March this year. Incidentally, he did not participate in the residential conditioning camps Sri Lanka Cricket organised in June and July.
More to follow…