I feel Malinga is a bit old now, and his pace has gone down: Shikhar Dhawan

33-year-old Lasith Malinga is just 2 wickets short of making it 300 in ODI cricket. The fast bowler went wicketless in the 1st ODI against India, where the duo of opener Shikhar Dhawan and skipper Virat Kohli stitched a match-winning unbeaten 197-run partnership to lift their side to a 9-wicket win. Sri Lanka and especially Malinga looked ineffective with the white ball. He bowled 8 overs and returned with figures of 0/52.

Following a pause in play, Malinga has featured in six ODIs since his return and took 4 wickets. The pacer played the ODI series against Zimbabwe but failed to make any vital contribution as Zimbabwe had the last laugh. Dhawan, who was adjudged the man of the match in the 1st game for his brilliant 132*, spoke about the veteran fast bowler, who was a force to reckon with in the past.

Age has caught up to Malinga

“Of course he is bit old now and I feel that his pace has gone down that’s why we can attack more. That’s natural. He has played so many years of cricket and age has taken its toll. It’s a life cycle,” said India opening batsman when asked about Malinga. In the last 9 ODIs, Malinga has picked up just 7 wickets. In 200 ODIs so far, the Sri Lankan has picked up 298 wickets at an average of 28.57. He also carries an economy of 5.29, which is impressive considering he bowls a fair share of his over during the slog overs.

He has also represented Lankans in 30 Test matches, scalping 101 wickets at an average of 33.15. In T20Is, Malinga has always been a vital asset, he has 89 wickets from 67 games. If Upul Tharanga’s Sri Lanka are to beat the visiting India side, then they will look up to their experienced campaigner to come good. Having lost the first game, the hosts will be desperate to level the honours.