IPL 2022: Lasith Malinga joins Rajasthan Royals leaving Mumbai Indians as fast bowling coach

Rajasthan Royals has appointed former Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga as their new fast bowling coach for the upcoming season of IPL. Malinga has previously been a part of the Mumbai Indians team. The 15th season of IPL will start on March 26. Rajasthan Royals has confirmed this by tweeting.

Malinga, who played as a fast bowler for many years in the Mumbai Indians team, retired from the game last year. This will be Malinga's first role as a coach in the tournament with the Royals.

Sharing a picture of Lasith Malinga from their official account, the Royals wrote, "Kiss the ball, Lasith Malinga. IPL. Pink."

Rajasthan Royals made this announcement

IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals has added two faces to its coaching staff ahead of the IPL 2022 season. The franchise has appointed Sri Lanka legend Lasith Malinga as its new fast bowling coach, while also inducting Paddy Upton in a new role as Team Catalyst. Kumar Sangakkara, Trevor Penney, Zubin Bharucha, and Dishant Yagnik will continue with the franchise.

Former Mumbai Indians fast bowler Lasith Malinga is currently the highest wicket-taker in the history of IPL. Malinga has taken 170 wickets in 122 matches. The 38-year-old is one of those players to have represented only one franchise in the tournament. He was seen playing for Mumbai in IPL. The pacer won five IPL trophies with Mumbai Indians and was instrumental in winning the title.

On joining Rajasthan, Malinga said, “It is a wonderful feeling for me to be back in IPL and it is an honor to be involved in Rajasthan Royals, a franchise that has always nurtured and developed young talent. I love the fast bowling we have. Excited about the unit. Going into the tournament and looking forward to supporting all the fast bowlers to use their game plan the right way and develop them throughout. I've had a few runs in IPL with Mumbai Indians and now with Royals Made very special memories."

Known as a death overs specialist and the yorker king during his career, Malinga will work with India's bowlers Navdeep Saini, the famous Krishna, and New Zealand's leading pacer Trent Boult, and West Indies' Obed McCoy in Rajasthan.

Rajasthan Royals will start their campaign in IPL 2022 against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 29. The team will be led by Sanju Samson, who was one of the three players retained by the team ahead of the mega auction in February. The franchise had also roped in Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal.