Lasith Malinga confident of stopping Virat Kohli in ICC World T20 final

Virat Kohli has got the better of Lasith Malinga in the past

Lasith Malinga, Sri Lanka’s stand-in skipper, has expressed confidence that his bowlers have the capability to produce the one special delivery that can get a great batsman like Virat Kohli out.

“We all know Virat is a great player. But even the greatest player needs only one ball to get out. I have a good feeling that someone from my side can bowl that one good ball tomorrow,” Malinga said ahead of  his side’s ICC World T20 final against India.

Malinga, who has previously had some unsuccessful tussles against Kohli, also played down talk about the final being a duel between him and the Indian vice-captain.

“We have to plan for all 20 overs. They have six or seven good batsmen. We don’t think only about getting one particular batsman out. We have to focus on bowling 20 good overs. Virat is a good player, but, if he gets a good ball, he too can get out,” Malinga reiterated.

Sri Lanka beat India by 5 runs in a warm up-game prior to the start of the tournament with Malinga recording impressive figures of 4/30 in his 4 overs. The fast-bowler however, dismissed the result of the warm-up game and said that it would have no bearing on the final on Sunday.

“Practice match is a practice match. But a tournament match is very different, both mentally and physically. The final is a big game and the tension is completely different. Whoever plays well on the day can win,” the skipper answered.

Malinga also confirmed that he will walk out for the toss on Sunday alongside Indian skipper MS Dhoni.

“I will be the captain tomorrow,” Malinga clarified.

He did choose to play his cards close to his chest though when asked about appointed captain Dinesh Chandimal and his side’s composition for the final.

“Chandimal led us well in the first few matches. He is a promising up and coming player. Lahiru (Thirimanne) got his chance and proved how good he is. We haven’t decided our team for tomorrow. We have to look at the pitch and decide what kind of combination we want to go in for tomorrow,” Malinga added.