IPL 2020 – Lasith Malinga will be missed: Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma

Lasith Malinga is the all-time leading wicket-taker for the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League. In 122 games, Lasith Malinga has picked up 170 wickets and it has been his contributions with the ball that has played a major hand in Mumbai Indians’ four titles. In IPL 2019, Malinga overcame all the horrors to deliver the perfect slower delivery in the final ball of the final against Chennai Super Kings as Mumbai Indians clinched the title in the most dramatic fashion.

Speaking in the press conference ahead of their IPL 2020 clash against Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma said the team will miss the services of Lasith Malinga in IPL 2020. The Sri Lankan pacer will miss the entire tournament in order to take care of his father who is unwell.

“It will be very difficult to fill Lasith Malinga’s shoes. Whenever we have found ourselves in trouble, he has bailed us out many times. Whatever he has achieved for Mumbai Indians, it is unbelievable. He is a match-winner in every sense. It is unfortunate that he will not be playing IPL 2020,” Rohit Sharma said.

Not taking CSK lightly

Mumbai Indians will start IPL 2020 with a mouth-watering clash against Chennai Super Kings. Mumbai Indians have won three out of their four IPL titles by beating Chennai Super Kings and they are the only team who has a superior head-to-head record against the Chennai Super Kings. However, Rohit Sharma is not taking them lightly at all.

“We are not taking Chennai Super Kings lightly. They are one of the most successful franchises in the IPL. They play attacking cricket. I am hoping for a good contest yet again,” Rohit said.

This will be the first major outing for the Indian players who have not played any form of cricket since March due to the coronavirus pandemic. In IPL 2014, Mumbai Indians lost all five games in the UAE but Rohit said the results of 2014 will have no bearing for IPL 2020. Rohit also said that spinners might not have a say in all the matches, citing the Asia Cup 2018 encounters which also assisted pace bowlers.

“Getting used to the conditions will be a major thing for most of the cricketers, who have not had any action for six months. We will have to base our play looking at the nature of the pitch that confronts us. There will be some reverse swing for the pacers. We have variety in our line-up and our playing XI will be according to the pitch that is given to us,” Rohit said.