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Lasith Malinga is a name that resonates with cricketing fans worldwide, with his unique bowling action and ability to intimidate batsmen. He was Sri Lanka's pin-up boy, known for his flamboyant image with bleached hair, tattoos, and piercings. Malinga's unorthodox bowling action was not the only thing that set him apart from other bowlers. He had an incredible skill set that made him a potent threat in the limited-overs format of the game. His career spanned over 15 years and saw him become one of the most successful bowlers in international cricket history.
Lasith Malinga was born on 28 August 1983 in Rathgama, Sri Lanka, to Separamadu Milton, a retired bus mechanic. He started playing cricket on the beaches of Galle at a young age before gaining admission to Mahinda College in Galle for his secondary education. Later he attended Vidyaloka College and Vidyathilake Vidyalaya Thiranagama.
Malinga faced early struggles as a cricketer due to financial problems but found solace from Champaka Ramanayake, a former Sri Lankan pacer who trained him extensively to perfect his famed yorker. This training turned out to be instrumental in helping him rise up through Sri Lanka's domestic cricket system.
Malinga made his mark in domestic cricket with some impressive performances for Galle Cricket Club before being selected for the national team. He made his Test debut against Australia in July 2004 but had more success in limited-overs cricket where he developed into one of the world's most feared bowlers.
Malinga established himself as a specialist death bowler early on in his career, with his unique action allowing him to deliver an array of variations. His unorthodox bowling style and well-directed bouncers earned him the nickname "Slinga Malinga." The highlight of his career was captaining the Sri Lankan team to victory in the 2014 T20 World Cup after being appointed as captain at the last moment.
Malinga's playing style was characterised by his ability to take wickets on consecutive balls, especially with in-swinging yorkers. He changed the dynamics and landscape of death bowling in limited-overs cricket, earning numerous accolades for his performances.
Malinga had a long association with the Mumbai Indians in the IPL, winning three IPL titles and two Champions Leagues, becoming one of their most successful bowlers. He also played a vital role in Sri Lanka's progress through several World Cup tournaments, including taking four wickets off four consecutive deliveries twice - first against South Africa during the 2007 World Cup and then against New Zealand during the 2011 World Cup.
Throughout his career, Malinga faced multiple injuries that affected his form but showed immense resilience each time he returned stronger. Despite this, he was able to take 300 wickets in ODI cricket and is currently the second-highest wicket-taker in all T20 cricket.
Lasith Malinga's successful cricket career is replete with major tournament contributions, including those in ICC tournaments and the Indian Premier League (IPL). In the 2007 World Cup, he became the first player to take four wickets in four balls in an ODI. He picked up two hat-tricks in consecutive World Cups (2011 and 2015), making him the only bowler to do so. He was also named in the 'Team of the Tournament' for multiple ICC events, including the 2007 World Cup, 2011 World Cup, 2009 T20I World Cup, and 2012 T20 World Cup.
Malinga's success was not limited to international cricket alone. His association with Mumbai Indians proved highly profitable in IPL tournaments. He played a vital role in leading his side to victory three times in IPL (2013, 2015 and 2017) and twice in Champions League T20 (2011 and 2013).
In T20 Internationals (T20Is), Malinga became the first bowler to take over a hundred wickets after taking his final scalp against New Zealand on September 6th, 2019. He ended his international career as Sri Lanka's second-highest wicket-taker in all forms of cricket with over five hundred dismissals.
Lasith Malinga played as a right-arm fast bowler with an unorthodox round-arm action that included dipping slower ball yorkers from an extreme angle. Opposing batsmen found him challenging due to his ability to take wickets on consecutive deliveries consistently. His skill set made him a potent threat during death overs; hence he was commonly used as a specialist death bowler.
A notable aspect of Malinga's gameplay was his strategic awareness and adaptability. He often shifted his bowling style to exploit the opposition's weaknesses for maximum impact. His unique action and excellent control over line and length made him one of the best bowlers in limited-overs cricket.
Lasith Malinga has always had a flamboyant public image with a dyed hairstyle, tattoos, piercings, and an unorthodox bowling action that sets him apart from other players. He also proved his leadership qualities by captaining the Sri Lankan cricket team to victory in the 2014 T20 World Cup.
Malinga is known to be passionate about coaching young talent in cricket besides taking part in charitable works, including contributing towards COVID-19 relief funds. He enjoys playing beach cricket and is a fan of football.
As far as sponsorship deals go, Malinga signed up with several brands over the years, including CEAT Tyres, Zandu Balm, and Coca-Cola. His net worth is estimated to be around 8 million dollars.
Lasith Malinga has been an inspiration for many future cricketers with his unique bowling style, unorthodox action, and ability to take wickets at crucial moments. He is credited with changing the landscape of death bowling in limited-overs cricket, introducing the dipping slower ball yorkers which are now commonplace in the game.
Malinga's impact on the game is best captured by his records and achievements that stand out in cricket history. He is the only player to have taken four wickets off four consecutive deliveries in an ODI and T20I format, a record that may never be broken. His hat trick against South Africa in the 2007 World Cup was a masterpiece of fast bowling and remains etched in cricketing folklore.
Malinga's captaincy skills were evident when he led Sri Lanka to victory in the 2014 T20 World Cup, becoming only the second captain after Arjuna Ranatunga to lift an ICC World Cup trophy for Sri Lanka.
Malinga's influence on other cricketers can be seen in their attempts to emulate his style of bowling. His skill set with variations made him one of the most potent threats in limited-overs cricket. It is no wonder that he was sought after by franchises all over the world for his expertise as a death bowler.
Malinga has received several major awards and accolades during his career. He was named Wisden Cricketer of the Year for 2011, recognizing him as one of the best players over that period worldwide. He was also named Sri Lanka Cricket Captain of the Year twice, acknowledging his leadership skills on and off the field.
In addition to these honours, Malinga has been offered honorary positions or roles by major cricket teams like Mumbai Indians where he served as a mentor after retiring from the game.
Lasith Malinga will go down in history as one of the greatest limited-overs bowlers of all time. His unique bowling action, freaky sling, and curling deliveries made him a dangerous bowler who troubled batsmen with his lively pace and well-directed bouncers.
Malinga's impact on cricket is best captured by his numerous records and accolades, underlining his uniqueness and standing among the greats of the game. He was an inspiration to many young cricketers around the world, with his legacy remaining intact long after he retired from the game.
With his career spanning over 17 years at international level, his impact on the game can be seen in how death bowling has evolved since he first burst onto the scene. Sri Lanka cricket will forever be indebted to him for leading them to their only World Cup triumph in the T20 format.
FAQs
What is Lasith Malinga known for in cricket?
Lasith Malinga is known for his unique bowling style, characterised by his sling-action and deadly yorkers. He is often referred to as "Slinga Malinga" and "Yorker King" due to his ability to consistently deliver accurate and challenging Yorker deliveries.
How many wickets has Lasith Malinga taken in ODIs and T20Is?
Lasith Malinga has taken 338 wickets in One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 107 wickets in T20 Internationals (T20Is).
What is Lasith Malinga's best bowling performance in ODIs and T20Is?
Malinga's best bowling figures in ODIs are 6/38, while in T20Is, his best bowling figures are 5/6.
What are some of Lasith Malinga's achievements in the Indian Premier League (IPL)?
Lasith Malinga has had a successful career in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as a key player for the Mumbai Indians. He has been part of multiple championship-winning campaigns, winning the IPL title with the Mumbai Indians in 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019. He also played a crucial role in the team's victory in the Champions League T20 in 2011 and 2013.
When did Lasith Malinga retire from international cricket?
Lasith Malinga retired from international cricket on July 26, 2019, after playing his last ODI against Bangladesh. However, he continued to play T20 cricket and retired from all forms of cricket in September 2021.
What are some of Lasith Malinga's nicknames?
Lasith Malinga is known by various nicknames, including "Slinga Malinga," "Yorker King," "Kangawena," "Mali," and "Rathgama Express." These nicknames highlight his unique bowling style and his hometown association.
