Cricket News

Lasith Malinga impressed by Mumbai Indians’ ‘formidable’ pace attack

The Mumbai Indians are not just a cricket team; they’re a phenomenon. Five times they’ve hoisted the coveted Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy, their blue and gold flag a beacon of excellence in the T20 arena. But trophies are merely milestones on a journey that’s as much about spirit as it is about skill.

At the helm of their success has been Rohit Sharma. His calm presence and tactical nous have unearthed a treasure trove of talent. Jasprit Bumrah, once a lanky teenager, transformed into the world’s deadliest fast bowler under Rohit’s tutelage. Hardik Pandya, the all-rounder extraordinaire, found his wings under Rohit’s wing. These are just two stars in a constellation that has seen the likes of Pollard, Malinga, and Suryakumar Yadav blaze across the cricketing canvas. But Mumbai Indians are more than just individual brilliance. They’re a family bound by a single word: Believe. It’s a mantra that reverberates through the packed stands of Wankhede Stadium, a rallying cry that carries them through adversity.

Now, the Mumbai Indians will be looking to win another title in 2024 having last emerged victorious in 2020. To spearhead this charge, a bold move was made recently with Hardik Pandya crowned the new captain. His charismatic leadership promises a fresh chapter in the franchise’s storied saga.

MI’s buys get Malinga’s approval

The sting of recent seasons, marred by a shaky fast-bowling attack, spurred the Mumbai Indians into decisive action at the IPL auction. Recognizing their Achilles’ heel, they meticulously bolstered their pace battery with a trio of exciting prospects.

Gerald Coetzee’s raw pace and Madushanka’s deceptive swing, fresh from their exploits in the ODI World Cup, promise thunderbolts capable of rattling any batting order. Nuwan Thushara, a seasoned warrior on the Sri Lankan domestic scene, adds another layer of fire and cunning to the attack. These acquisitions represent a clear intent to address a long-standing vulnerability, and their impact could be transformative for the Mumbai Indians’ fortunes.

Lasith Malinga, the sling-wielding legend who once terrorized batsmen in Mumbai Indians’ blue, has given his new-look pace attack a resounding thumbs-up. Following the team’s strategic acquisitions at the recent IPL auction, Malinga took to Twitter, declaring their fast-bowling lineup “formidable!”

“FORMIDABLE! That is the first word that comes to my mind when I see our fast bowling lineup for the Welcome to MI, Dilshan Madushanka, Gerald Coetzee and Nuwan Thushara,” he wrote on the micro-blogging platform.