IPL 2016: Ponting not worried about Malinga's absence from MI squad

With just a day to go before the 9^th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) commences in Mumbai, teams are giving a final touch to their preparations ahead of the tournament.

So is the case with the defending champions, the Mumbai Indians, except for the fact that they are, at the moment, without the services of their premier fast bowler, and IPL’s leading wicket taker, Lasith Malinga.

Malinga’s career of late has been hampered by several injuries, the latest of which is the ankle injury that he suffered last November. Since then, he has taken a limited part in Sri Lanka’s limited-overs endeavours, playing solitary games in the Asia Cup as well as the World T20.

Ponting not worried about finding replcements for Malinga

Malinga, who was Sri Lanka’s regular T20I captain, had to stand down as the captain of the side due his seemingly never-ending tryst with injuries. In the MI preparatory camp as well, the Sri Lankan veteran is the only player absent, but the coach of the side, Ricky Ponting, who acknowledged the fact the the speedster is not likely to be available in the first part of the tournament, however, is not worried about finding replacements for him.

“I believe he will be joining us after the first couple of games to have his fitness assessed,” said the former Australian captain. “Right now it's unlikely he will take part in the first half of the tournament anyway,” he added.

Tim Southee of New Zealand, and Merchant de Lange of South Africa were names mentioned by the coach as the bowlers who could take Malinga’s place in the line-up. However, for a replacement, Ponting said that if needed, a replacement would be named only after the fifth game.

“If we need a replacement, it will be have to be named ahead of the fifth game. At this stage you have to say it is unlikely (Malinga playing).

“Malinga at his best has been one of the great performers in world cricket, both with new and old ball. He will be missed, but we have to think about who the best replacement will be.

“Will it be Marchant de Lange, will it be Tim Southee? Will we go in with three overseas batsmen? So there are headaches we have, which is a nice thing. If Malinga is ruled out, we have more than adequate replacement to fill his boots,” he added.

If Malinga is ruled out of the IPL as well, it might be the third major tournament that he would miss this year, having already missed out on the Asia Cup T20 and the ICC World T20.