Although handicapped by the absence of their pace injured spearhead Lasith Malinga, who may miss the entire IPL season 9 commencing here tomorrow, title holders Mumbai Indians are quite confident that there are others capable of stepping into the Sri Lankan’s shoes.
The (franchise) owners and head coach Ricky Ponting have done a good job in recruiting a couple of fast bowlers in the side. So we have cover for him. If he arrives fit, he will surely fit into our squad. If he doesn’t, we have good cover for him. Nothing changes, like in any injury, that is the depth of the squad. When it comes to IPL during the course of time, there were 16 players, so you cannot rely on one player.Shane Bond, Bowling Coach, Mumbai Indians
Malinga, who played a major rule last year by taking 24 wickets in 15 games in MI’s memorable come from behind run to the title for the second time, has hurt his knee and was unable to be the bowling spearhead for his country, Lanka, in the World T20 that concluded on April 3.
On Thursday, Ponting had also confidently said that there were adequate replacements if Malinga is ruled out of the entire season 9 of the T20 league.
If you look at last season when we were playing our best cricket, Malinga was bowling at his best, as well. He’s been one of the great performers in world cricket with the new as well as the old ball. He will be definitely missed, but we have more than adequate replacements if he’s ruled out.Ricky Pointing
If you look at last season when we were playing our best cricket, Malinga was bowling at his best, as well. He’s been one of the great performers in world cricket with the new as well as the old ball. He will be definitely missed, but we have more than adequate replacements if he’s ruled out.
I think last year he (Bumrah) was coming into the matches, after a serious knee injury, so didn’t see the best of him. But his development over the last year is credit to himself the manner of hard work he has put in. And for us, it’s great to get him back, also with the form that he is in and also with the confidence he is in. He has got great skills like the way he is bowling so he adds a great amount to our teamShane Bond
(With inputs from PTI)
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