'That's why we call him a bowler' - Lasith Malinga indulges in hilarious banter with MI players

Five-time champions Mumbai Indians will take on Rajasthan Royals in match nine of the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL). The match will be played at Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Mumbai on April 2 (Saturday). Ahead of the much-awaited clash, RR fast bowling coach Lasith Malinga was seen sharing a laugh with his former MI teammates.

Malinga joined the Mumbai camp way back in 2009 and was an integral part of the MI camp for the past several years. Talking about his numbers in IPL, Malinga has scalped 170 wickets in 122 matches, which makes him the joint highest wicket-taker along with Dwayne Bravo in the history of the tournament. Malinga played his final match in IPL 2019 and it was a memorable one. The right-arm-pacer bowled a match-winning final over against Chennai Super Kings, which led to giving MI their fourth IPL title win.

I see Boult learning some tricks from you: Suryakumar Yadav to Lasith Malinga

The Royals shared a video on their official Instagram handle in which the veteran pacer can be seen talking to Jasprit Bumrah and batter Suryakumar Yadav. The Indian batter mentioned how the Rajasthan-based franchise pacer Trent Boult seems to be learning quite a few tricks from their bowling coach. “I see Boult is learning some tricks from you,” Yadav said in the video

 

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MI express pacer Bumrah also chipped in, stating that the Kiwi pacer had bowled a lot of yorkers during Rajasthan’s inaugural match of the edition against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. However, Malinga came up with a perfect reply saying that a bowler should have a variety of deliveries in his arsenal.

“That’s why we call him a bowler. He can bowl length, he can bowl yorkers, he can bowl slower balls and bouncers as well. That’s a bowler. As a skilled bowler, you have to do that,” said Malinga.

After losing their first encounter against the Delhi Capitals, the five-time champions would like to open their account in the points table. Rajasthan on other hand would like to continue their winning momentum.