'All young cricketers have a dream to play IPL' - Lasith Malinga recalls his memorable journey with Mumbai Indians

Ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) resumption, Sri Lanka veteran Lasith Malinga announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, drawing curtains on an illustrious career. Malinga was an integral part of five times IPL champions Mumbai Indians(MI). The Sri Lanka stalwart, who is the highest wicket-taker in IPL with 170 wickets in 122 matches, ended his memorable journey with MI with an IPL trophy in 2019.

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Not only did he play pivotal roles in many of MI’s wins but also groomed Mumbai’s young pacers. India stalwart Jasprit Bumrah often credits Lasith Malinga for his evolvement as a bowler. Malinga recently recalled his stint with MI and said it helped him earn many fans in India and across the globe.

"When I played with Mumbai Indians, I got many fans in India and all over the world. I feel all the young cricketers have a dream - to play franchise cricket, especially IPL, and the national team," the official website of Mumbai Indians quoted Malinga as saying.

"That is why I want to share my experience with Mumbai Indians, who have an excellent support staff. That is why I want to explain how I entered the IPL team."

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Malinga recalled the day when Mumbai Indians acquired his services in 2008 and how his manager conveyed the message to him. "In 2008, I got the opportunity to put down my name for the auction. After that, I got a call from my manager who told me that I'd got a chance to play with Mumbai Indians that year," he added. "He asked me not to worry, and that two other Sri Lankan cricketers were there. He also mentioned that I got good owners - Mr. Mukesh Ambani and Mrs. Nita Ambani."

Malinga had an international experience of around 3 years when he joined Mumbai Indians. The fast bowler revealed that sharing the dressing room with legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Sanath Jayasurya and Shaun Pollock was a great learning experience. "The manager also mentioned about the team's support staff and the team having the most experienced players of that time. I had only 3.5 years of international experience. I felt it was good to go there and get some experience to play for the national team," said Malinga.

Malinga’s retirement brought an end to an illustrious career that saw him pick 446 international wickets. The fearsome bowler, who was known for his toe crushing yorkers, also led Sr Lanka to a T20 World Cup win in 2014.