IPL 2022: Lasith Malinga Explains Why He Joined Rajasthan Royals Coaching Unit

Former Sri Lanka player Lasith Malinga explained the reason behind joining IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals. On March 11, Malinga was appointed as the fast bowling coach of Rajasthan Royals for the IPL 2022 season.

Malinga was associated with Mumbai Indians for around 11 years, he not only played 122 matches for the five-time IPL champions but was also their bowling coach during the IPL 2018 season.

Last year Kumar Sangakkara asked me if I was interested: Lasith Malinga

The 38-year-old mentioned that his former Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara, who is the Director of Cricket at Rajasthan Royals, offered him the role last year.

“It was actually last year that Kumar (Sangakkara) asked me if I was interested. But with COVID and all the bubble restrictions, I didn’t want to stay away from my family,” Malinga told news agency PTI. 

“But this year, having also worked with the Sri Lankan team, I felt I could use my experience and give back to the game that I love, by working with this group of players,” he added.

It is certainly a new thing for me to get into coaching: Lasith Malinga

Malinga has already joined the Rajasthan Royals camp in Mumbai and started training with the bowlers. The former Sri Lanka T20I skipper said he is enjoying his new role as of now and feels Royals have always been competitive when he faced them playing for Mumbai Indians.

“It is certainly a new thing for me to get into coaching and pass on my experience to the younger players.  I have played this role before with Mumbai, and now I’m delighted to be working with Rajasthan Royals. It is a new place for me, but I’m enjoying my role so far working with such a talented group of bowlers,” he said.

“I always saw the team have good international and local players, and whenever I used to face them, it was tough. I think they were always very competitive and could beat any team on their day,” he added.

With 170 scalps from 122 matches, Malinga is currently the highest wicket-taker in the tournament’s history, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) all-rounder Dwayne Bravo is just three wickets shy of breaking the record.

Also Read: Lasith Malinga Opens Up On How He Got Into Mumbai Indians Team In 2009