Not Hardik Pandya's return!! Lasith Malinga reveals the best thing to happen to Mumbai Indians ahead of IPL 2024
Published - 19 Mar 2024, 02:50 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:28 AM
Mumbai Indians (MI) bowling coach Lasith Malinga opened up about the return of Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Lasith Malinga said that Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya can bring experience to the MI team.
Jasprit Bumrah was absent throughout the IPL 2023 season due to injury, while Hardik Pandya represented the Gujarat Titans in the last two seasons. However, the Indian all-rounder has returned to the five-time IPL champions following an off-season trade deal.
The Mumbai-based team made it to the playoffs in the previous season despite the absence of the duo. They reached Qualifier 2 but faced a defeat against the Gujarat Titans (GT). They last won the trophy during the 2020 season under the leadership of Rohit Sharma.
Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya Are In Top Form – Lasith Malinga
Speaking to reporters after the MI junior tournament, Lasith Malinga emphasized the value of the experience brought by Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya. Malinga expressed confidence that their presence is highly beneficial for the team in this year’s IPL.
“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,” said Malinga.
Bumrah has played a crucial role in MI’s five IPL victories from 2013 to 2020, while Hardik contributed to their last four triumphs in 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020. Hardik had a successful stint with GT, where he won a title in 2022 and finished as runners-up in 2023.
Bumrah has taken 145 wickets in 120 IPL matches, with an average of 23.30 and an economy rate of 7.39. Meanwhile, Hardik has scored 2309 runs in 123 matches at an average of 30.38 and a strike rate of 145.86. Pandya has taken 53 wickets at an economy rate of 8.8.
Still Feel Bowlers Win Matches – Lasith Malinga
Lasith Malinga expressed that bowlers are the true game-changers in T20 cricket. He highlighted the importance of having skilled bowlers like Bumrah and Akash Madhwal in the MI lineup.
“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,” said Malinga.
“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,” concluded Malinga.
Madhwal’s remarkable contributions during the latter part of the IPL 2023 significantly aided MI’s journey to the playoffs. MI bolstered its pace-bowling resources in the auction, securing talents such as Gerald Coetzee, Dilshan Madushanka, and Nuwan Thushara.
The Hardik Pandya-led team will face the Gujarat Titans in their opening match of the tournament at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, March 24.
