IPL 9: Big Misfortune to Mumbai Indians as Malinga ruled out

The uncertainty over Lasith Malinga's availability for IPL season is finally over. The 32-year-old Sri Lankan pacer has been ruled out by Mumbai Indians on Sunday because of knee injury that has kept him out of action for a major part of the last six months.

Mumbai Indians, in three tweets on Sunday evening, posted: “MI's star pacer, Lasith Malinga has been ruled out of IPL 2016 due to a knee injury. Malinga was expected to miss the first few matches of MI's IPL '16 campaign but the recovery period is longer than previously expected. MI will now look for a worthy replacement for Lasith Malinga this season.”

Mumbai Indians reached Hyderabad on Sunday without Malinga ahead of Monday's game against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Malinga has returned to Colombo.

Malinga, with his left knee in braces, was in Mumbai on Friday and Saturday to be assessed by the Mumbai Indians' team of doctors. He was at the Wankhede with his MI team-mates, a photo of him and Harbhajan Singh being posted on Twitter while he was also seen sharing some tips with India's latest limited-overs speed-bowling sensation Jasprit Bumrah, who is expected to take over the role of Malinga, the match-winner, especially at the death overs.

It is learnt that Malinga will be out of action for at least another four months because of the recurring knee injury. Malinga is expected to miss Sri Lanka's upcoming tour of England as well as the Caribbean Premier League. The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) medical staff will now assess Malinga's injury and decide whether he needs a surgery or not.

Meanwhile, SLC, on Sunday, took objection to Malinga's visit to Mumbai. In a media release, SLC stated: “Lasith Malinga has not informed Sri Lanka Cricket of his travel to India, nor his intention to play for the IPL. There is no bar on Mr Malinga travelling to, watching, or participating in practice or training of Cricket anywhere in the world.

However, his ability to play is contingent on receiving a No Objection Certificate from SLC for which 1) SLC-appointed expert panel of Medical professionals must clear his injury status; 2) He must be declared ‘Match Fit’ by physio, trainer, coach and selectors.”

The SLC media release added that “Malinga will present himself before the SLC panel of expert doctors on Wednesday (April 20) and depending on the outcome of the said medical examinations, be required to face a match fitness grading after which SLC will take the next appropriate steps.”

Sri Lanka Cricket said it would ask for “explanation” from Malinga “with regards to his statements to the media in the recent days, and suitable action will be taken forthwith”.