Mumbai: Ace pacer Lasith Malinga has made himself unavailable for the 2020 season of Indian Premier League on Wednesday. The 13th edition of IPL will take place in the UAE. Malinga said he wants to "be with family back home in Sri Lanka". Mumbai Indians announced the news on Wednesday (September 2).
Mumbai Indians announced Australian pacer James Pattinson as Malinga's replacement for the upcoming IPL.
"James is the right fit for us and adds to our pace attack options available at hand especially for the conditions we will play in this season," MI owner Akash Ambani said. "Lasith is a legend and a pillar of MI's strength. There is no denying the fact that we will miss Lasith's cricketing acumen this season. However, we fully understand Lasith's need to be in Sri Lanka with his family during this time."
Lasith Malinga is the leading wicket-taker of the IPL. He made his IPL debut in 2009. In 122 matches, he picked up 170 wickets at an average of 19.80 and an economy rate of 7.14.
Pattinson is yet to play IPL. He was once linked to KKR but didn't play the actual league.
