We have adequate replacements if Lasith Malinga is ruled out: Ricky Ponting

The uncertainty surrounding the fitness of fast bowling spearhead Lasith Malinga is currently an issue for Mumbai Indians. Malinga, who is struggling with an ankle injury, is virtually being ruled out of the first half of this edition of the IPL. However, MI coach Ricky Ponting isn’t much worried and says that he has adequate replacements even if the Lankan fast bowler is not available for the entire tournament.

“He’s not with the squad now. He’s unlikely to take part in the first half of the tournament. If we want to name a replacement we have to do so before the fifth game,” said Ponting at a media conference on Thursday ahead of MI’s lung-opener against new IPL side Rising Pune Super Giants on April 9 in Mumbai.

“If you look at last season when we were playing our best cricket, Malinga was bowling at his best as well. He’s been one of the great performers in world cricket with the new as well as the old ball. He will be definitely missed, but we have more than adequate replacements if he’s ruled out,” added the Australian, who had clinched two World Cups as captain.

Malinga has been a top performer for the Mumbai franchise and took 24 wickets in 15 matches to spearhead MI’s winning campaign last season after the team’s initial losing streak. He is been on a layoff due to injury and had also missed the World T20 due to the same reason.

Ponting is also assured that Mumbai Indians’ skipper Rohit Sharma, who is struggling with poor form in the WT20, will be in top form over the next few weeks of IPL.

“Rohit is one of the best players in the world. He has shown it over a long period of time. It’s very hard to maintain top form. You will have ups and downs. I am sure he will play exceptionally well over the next two months.”

He also praised the progress made by Jasprit Bumrah at the international level after missing most of IPL due to injury in 2015.

“The last couple of months I am incredibly pleased with Jasprit Bumrah’s improvement. Last season he was coming off an injury lay-off, but now he’s stronger than before. What he has done for India over the last couple of months has been fantastic.”

Ponting said Jos Butler, wicketkeeper of England team which lost the WT20 final against West Indies in Kolkata, is focused on doing well for the Mumbai Indians. “It was Butler’s first session yesterday. He is focused on doing well for MI as well,” said Ponting.

“I did not watch every game in WT20. Watched semifinal and final. Look at what Carlos Brathwaite did. You don’t see that often. The two teams that played the final had unbelievable batting depth, till no. 9 or 10,” he added.

Indian Team director Ravi Shastri’s tenure ends after the WT20 championship and the search for the next India coach is currently going on. When asked about taking up the role of India coach’s job in the immediate future Ponting said, “I love teaching younger players. (But) It’s a matter of time coaching an international team takes up. I have a young family. I travelled around the world as a player. I really enjoy spending quality time with family.

“It’s probably unlikely over the next short period of time to consider an international (coaching) job. I will think about it later,” said the 41-year-old former batsman, who had scored 27,000 runs in Tests and ODIs combined together.

Ponting also said it will be great if another Hardik Pandya can be unearthed in MI. “It will be great to unearth someone like Hardik Pandya last year. Nitish Rana had a good domestic season. There’s Nathu Singh,” Ponting said.