Mumbai Indians have asked the BCCI for a replacement for Lasith Malinga, who was ruled out of the ninth edition of the IPL after an injury. The Sri Lankan pacer hasn’t played a competitive game since February 2016.
“MI’s star pacer, Lasith Malinga has been ruled out of IPL 2016 due to a knee injury,” tweeted the official MI handle. “Malinga was expected to miss the first few matches of MI’s IPL ’16 campaign but the recovery period is longer than previously expected. MI will now look for a worthy replacement for Lasith Malinga this season."
IPL’s leading wicket-taker was found unfit by MI’s medical team because of a persistent knee injury, due to which they declared him unfit for the next four months. As a result, Malinga will also be missing Sri Lanka’s upcoming tour of England and the Caribbean Premier League.
MI's coach Ricky Ponting was earlier quoted saying that they have back-ups for Malinga in Tim Southee and Marchant De Lange. The former was used by the team in their matches against Kolkata Knight riders and Gujarat Lions.
The medical staff at Sri Lanka Cricket will be assessing the pacer's injury and decide if he needs a surgery.
“Malinga will present himself before the SLC panel of expert doctors on Wednesday (April 20) and depending on the outcome of the said medical examinations, be required to face a match fitness grading, after which SLC will take the next appropriate steps,” the SLC said in a release.
There has been some controversy surrounding the pacer’s travel to India to play for the Mumbai Indians. This issue was cleared by SLC in an official statement.
“Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to respond to the concerns of the media with regards to Lasith Malinga’s current status with the Mumbai Indians. Lasith Malinga has not informed Sri Lanka Cricket of his travel to India, nor his intention to play for the IPL.
“There is no bar on Mr. Malinga travelling to, watching, or participating in practice or training of Cricket anywhere in the world. However, his ability to play is contingent on receiving a No Objection Certificate from SLC for which SLC appointed expert panel of Medical professionals must clear his injury status; he must be declared ‘Match Fit’ by physio, trainer, coach and selectors,” the SLC release said.
“We also wish to inform you that there will be explanation called from Mr. Malinga with regards to his statements to the media in the recent days, and suitable action will be taken forthwith,” the board added.
Malinga had injured his left knee while playing against the West Indies at home last November and has struggled to get back on track since then. He had stepped down from captaincy after the Asia Cup owing to this and also did not play in the World T20 this year.
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