Published: Apr 13, 2016, 02:29 AM (IST)
Edited: Apr 13, 2016, 02:29 AM (IST)
Colombo: Miffed with Lasith Malinga‘s attitude of picking and choosing tournaments, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is reluctant to give the fast bowler ‘No Objection Certificate’ to play for the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). SLC chief Tilanga Sumathipala said that the current status of Malinga’s fitness needs to be assessed before the Board decides to give him the NOC. “He can’t go without our permission. If he defies us and go, he can only return after sitting on the bench,” Sumathipala said. Malinga and the new SLC hierarchy have been at a standoff since the Asia Cup T20 in February. IPL 2016: Lasith Malinga’s absence an opportunity for Jasprit Bumrah, feels Rohit Sharma
The Board administration had asked Malinga to leave the captaincy before the World T20 last month in obvious annoyance. Although Malinga made it to Sri Lanka World T20 team as a player, he once again opted out of the crucial tournament, citing fitness issues. As a result, Sri Lanka was forced to play the tournament without their main bowler, which turned out to be one of the main reasons for the defending champions ouster from the World T20 in the first round itself.
Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma believes Lasith Malinga‘s unavailability in the first few weeks of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will be a great opportunity for young Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah to fill in the shoes of the talismanic Sri Lankan. “It is a fantastic opportunity (for Bumrah). Malinga is not available for next few weeks. We have to see his fitness, definitely not playing tomorrow’s game. We are keeping a track how he is progressing. Bumrah has evolved in the last couple of months. You must have seen him in Australia. He bowled well and then carried his performance in the Asia Cup and the World T20,” Rohit told the media here on Tuesday ahead of Wednesday’s tie against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Eden Gardens, reports IANS.
