‘Ye huiii na bat, ab maza aya’ – Fans react to reports of Lasith Malinga joining Mumbai Indians as bowling coach ahead of IPL 2024

Former Sri Lanka cricketer Lasith Malinga is all set to make a comeback with the Mumbai Indians ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 edition. Notably, the right-arm pacer has been appointed as the bowling coach for the Rohit Sharma-led team. In addition, the seamer has replaced New Zealand bowler Shane Bond, who has been associated with the franchise for the past nine years. Notably, the pace great Shane Bond joined the squad in 2015 and took the franchise to the epitome of success, along with former Sri Lankan star Mahila Jayawardene, who was associated with the team from 2017 to 2022.

Moreover, the 39-year-old cricketer has worked as a bowling coach for the Sanju Samson-led Rajasthan Royals for two seasons since retiring in 2021. The Sri Lankan cricketer has helped the Rajasthan Royals make it to the finals in 2022. In addition, the pacer was associated with Major League Cricket (MLC) 2023 for franchise MI New York, where they emerged as winners after defeating the Seattle Orcas in the final match during the inaugural edition.

The Galle-born cricketer has lifted the Indian Premier League (IPL) on four occasions while playing for the Mumbai Indians (2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019), and the pace ace also won the Champions League in 2011. Notably, the legendary cricketer has appeared for Rohit Sharma’s side in 139 games, collecting 195 wickets with an average of 7.12.

Mumbai Indians have already started preparations for its next edition

Although the IPL 2024 is months away, the five-time champion Mumbai Indians have already started preparations for its next edition after having a poor campaign in 2022 and 2023. Notably, the Rohit Sharma-led side finished bottom of the points table in 2022, whereas they managed to reach the playoffs in 2023.

Rohit Sharma’s men displayed their magnificent form during the eliminator match, where they knocked out Krunal Pandya’s Lucknow Super Giants, but they suffered a heavy defeat from Hardik Pandya’s Gujarat Titans during qualifier 2 in the recently concluded IPL 2023.

Check out how fans have reacted to the same:

Mumbai Indians have better coaches than Team India

— Rahman Sheikh IRTS (@rahmanology) August 20, 2023

Malinga is back home 💙

— Abhishek Ojha (@vicharabhio) August 19, 2023

Malinga in blue 💙 pic.twitter.com/0MMcjQmbeq

— Suresh Parmar® (@iamSureshParmar) August 19, 2023

My Man is ready to takeover VadaPav Club😤 pic.twitter.com/gSBVfJzJA5

— Kunal Kharalkar (@kunalspits) August 19, 2023

Remember ? 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/F6fgEdUJBB

— User45 (@140off113) August 19, 2023

Kya farak padta hai…main bowling to Ambani ne karni hai

— UmdarTamker (@UmdarTamker) August 19, 2023

Great decision! He knows Mumbai Indians players and management inside out! Slinga Malinga! pic.twitter.com/Io307DGVqL

— Sammy Alex M. (@alexcrypto22) August 19, 2023

Malinga 💙 Mumbai Indias.

— Waѕiyullah Budye (@WasiyullahB) August 19, 2023