SLC raises doubts about Lasith Malinga's future in IPL 2016
Sri Lanka Cricket has hinted at denying a no-objection certificate to their ace fast bowler Lasith Malinga to play for the Mumbai Indians in the ninth edition of the Indian premier League. It is also said that the former Sri Lanka captain had made adverse comments against the board and its officials.
SLC chief Thilanga Sumathipala said Malinga's fitness will be checked before the Board decides to give him a nod to play in the tournament. "He can't go without our permission. If he defies us and go, he can only return after sitting on the bench," Sumathipala said.
Malinga has been suffering from an injury in his knee since the Asia Cup in Bangladesh in February, after which the board administration had asked him to step down as the captain.
He had also travelled with the team to play the 2016 T20 World Cup but returned after playing two practice matches owing to injury. According to reports, the SLC is annoyed with Malinga for picking tournaments at his ease, and Malinga's recent comments about the board heated the issue further.
He was apparently quoted saying that he was selected in the team even after he had informed the board about the injury and questioned if there was no one to replace him.
"We are monitoring Malinga's injury progress and if he is fit we would like to play him. But we are also wary of the comments he has made to the media and we will be pursuing it and see what action can be taken," said the SLC chief.
Sri Lanka called in 26-year-old leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay to replace the injured Malinga during the World Cup, who ended with three wickets in the three matches he played.
However, Malinga's absence had major repercussions on the team's performance in the Asia Cup and the World T20, as he is one of the major match winners for the side. Sri Lanka, the defending champions of the Asia Cup failed to make it to the finals and did not advance to the semi-finals in the T20 World Cup.
Sumanthipala also drew parallels with SL skipper Angelo Mathews's injury, saying that he had played against England in the T20 World Cup and scored an unbeaten 78 despite a calf strain. "If you are playing for the country every cricketer must try to give his 100 percent," he added.