IPL 2018: Mumbai Indians appoint Lasith Malinga bowling mentor

Three-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians have appointed their former fast bowler Lasith Malinga as the bowling mentor ahead of their 2018 IPL season. After being a part of the Mumbai Indians team for the past ten seasons, Malinga remained unsold in the 2018 IPL auction that took place last month.

With this, Malinga will be the latest addition to Mumbai's support staff which includes the likes of Sachin Tendulkar (icon and mentor), Mahela Jayawardene (head coach), Robin Singh (batting coach), Shane Bond (bowling coach), Paras Mhambrey (assistant bowling coach which he might have to give up, thanks to conflict of interest), James Pemment (fielding coach), Rahul Sanghvi (team manager) etc.

“It’s a great opportunity to continue my association with Mumbai Indians. Mumbai has been my home away from home for the last decade. As a player, I have enjoyed the journey with Mumbai Indians and now as a mentor, I look forward to the new chapter," Malinga said.

In his 10-year-spell with Mumbai, Malinga has played 110 matches and picked up 154 wickets, which is the most by any bowler in the history of IPL. He boasts an average of 19 and an economy of 6.86. Adding to this, he was an integral part of the Mumbai Indians' team in all their three IPL triumphs.

“Mumbai Indians have a proven record of scouting and bringing forth the young talents at the national stage. It will be a boon for these youngsters as well the established ones to have the combined force of Shane Bond and Lasith Malinga to back them,” said Mumbai Indians’ team owner Akash Ambani.

Malinga played a big role in Jasprit Bumrah's career as the slinger took the Gujarat pacer as his prodigy and made sure that he learnt the trades of bowling, especially in the death overs. Malinga's addition to the team's think-tank will come in handy for the defending champions.