Lasith Malinga Released By Mumbai Indians Ahead Of IPL 2021

With the deadline to release the final list of player retentions, the franchises are set to release some of their players ahead of the mini-IPL auction in order to increase their purse.

With December 20 being the deadline to submit the list, reports of players getting released have started to come in, and according to a similar report in ESPNCricinfo, five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians have decided to release their talisman Lasith Malinga.

Lasith Malinga is the most successful bowler in the history of the cash-rich league ever since he made his debut way back in 2009.

Renowned for his ability to nail yorkers at will, Lasith Malinga was one of the major spearheads in Mumbai Indians becoming a force to reckon with during the course of the last decade.

The purple-cap winner in the 2011 season of the IPL, Lasith Malinga is still the leading wicket-taker in the history of the lucrative cash-rich league, despite having featured in just 10 seasons out of 13.

In 122 IPL games, Malinga has 170 wickets to his name at an average of 19.80 and an economy rate of 7.14. The champion fast bowler did not play in the 2018 edition as Mumbai Indians decided to use his services as a mentor.

However, he returned in the succeeding edition where he arguably bowled the ball of the season- a slower delivery to dismiss Shardul Thakur- to help MI clinch their 4th title.

Malinga was supposed to feature in the 2020 edition of the IPL which took place in the bio-secure environment of the United Arab Emirates. However, he pulled out of the season citing personal reasons.

MI, however, did not miss him much as Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah filled his boots to help the Rohit Sharma-led unit clinch a record fifth title.

Also Read: Reports: CSK Retain Suresh Raina Ahead Of IPL 2021