IPL’s Defending Champions Mumbai Indians having released Separamadu Lasith Malinga amongst others from their franchises, informed about the latter’s decision to retire from franchise cricket. Several players, including former Australia skipper Steve Smith, T20 star Glenn Maxwell, were released by their respective franchises on Wednesday. Malinga’s announcement brings an end to the era of Mumbai Indians, wherein he scalped 170 wickets having played 122 matches. Malinga fans will always cherish his 2019 final over against the Chennai Super Kings.
“After discussing with family, I think now is the right time to retire from all franchise cricket. The Pandemic situation and the restrictions on travel will make it difficult for me given my personal circumstances to participate fully in franchise cricket for the next year and therefore it is best to make this decision now,” Malinga said, in a statement released by the IPL franchise.
Released players by MI: Mitchell McCleneghan, James Pattinson, Lasith Malinga, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Sherfane Rutherford, Digvijay Deshmukh and Prince Balwant Rai Singh.
MI Squad: Rohit Sharma (C), Aditya Tare, Anmolpreet Singh, Anukul Roy, Dhawal Kulkarni, Hardik Pandya, Ishan Kishan, Jasprit Bumrah, Jayant Yadav, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Quinton de Kock, Rahul Chahar, Suryakumar Yadav, Chris Lynn, Mohsin Khan, Saurabh Tiwary and Trent Boult.