‘He can fill those shoes,’ Brett Lee names player who could replace Lasith Malinga in IPL 2020
IPL 2020: Malinga’s ability in the death overs would be dearly missed. He bowled the last over in the final of IPL 2020 and managed to defend nine runs as MI won their 4th title. The 37-year-old is also IPL’s highest wicket-taker with 170 scalps to his credit.
Lasith Malinga pulled out of Indian Premier League 2020 due to personal reasons. It was a big blow to Mumbai Indians as Malinga has played an integral part in the franchise’s success in the IPL. Australia’s right-arm pacer James Pattinson was named the official replacement for Malinga in the Mumbai Indians’ squad.
But Malinga’s ability in the death overs would be dearly missed. He bowled the last over in the final of IPL 2019 and managed to defend nine runs as MI won their 4th title. The 37-year-old is also IPL’s highest wicket-taker with 170 scalps to his credit.
But who could take Malinga’s place in the MI squad? Former Australian speedster Brett Lee has said he doesn’t have any doubts that Jasprit Bumrah will be able step up his game in Malinga’s absence.
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“I am always Bumrah’s fan since he burst onto the scene some years ago. He has got a different bowling action, he pushes the ball in, and can swing the ball both ways. He is good with the new ball but I like him with the old ball and that’s why he can fill the shoes of Malinga and can bowl at death overs,” Lee said on Star Sports’ show Game Plan..
“He can bowl at 140kmph and zoom the ball in at the batsman’s feet. He is bowling the yorkers consistently and there are very less bowlers like that, so he can fill those shoes.”
“They have to be. Champions of last year, they have got a good squad,” he said when asked about MI’s chances of winning this year.
“Pollard is in form and we know what Rohit can do. They have Jasprit Bumrah, and some good spinners and some power hitters as well, so yes, they are in my top four.”
MI will take on the Chennai Super Kings in this season’s opener on September 19 in Abu Dhabi.