Jasprit Bumrah is the number 1 bowler in MI and world cricket: Lasith Malinga

Three-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) had an ordinary start to the Indian Premier League (2019) with two losses in the first three games but won the four of the next five games now to go up the points table. They beat Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at home on Monday by 5 wickets, thanks to a superb bowling performance from Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga and brisk hitting by Hardik Pandya (37 not out in 16 balls). Malinga took 4 wickets for 31 to finish to win the Man of the Match award.

Malinga, who was picked by the MI at the last minute this year, praised team-mate Jasprit Bumrah as the No.1 bowler in not just the MI team but also in the entire cricketing world. The veteran bowler has played a crucial role in Bumrah’s upbringing as a death bowler. When Bumrah made his debut, Malinga was at his peak and in MI dressing room, guided the youngster.

We know how good he is

Speaking at Team Talk ahead of the game with the RCB at the Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday, the 35-year-old said, “We know exactly how good Jasprit is. He is the number one bowler in MI and world cricket.”

Bumrah has taken eight wickets in as many games in this IPL which though is not among his best but the 25-year-old bowler still remains one of the biggest trump cards both for the MI in the IPL and India in the upcoming World Cup in May-July.

"@Jaspritbumrah93 is the number one bowler in #MI and world cricket." – Lasith Malinga #OneFamily #CricketMeriJaan #MumbaiIndians #MIvRCB pic.twitter.com/K1tNZdo3vG

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) April 16, 2019

Lasith Malinga, who replaced an injured Joseph Alzzari, has taken seven wickets from four matches so far to extend his tally of wickets in the T20 tournament to 161. The man also praised Hardik and conceded that he is scared to bowl to him in the upcoming World Cup. India will be playing Sri Lanka in their final league game at Headingley, Leeds, on July 6.

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