IPL 2014: Five valuable overseas players - Predictions

Lasith Malinga (Mumbai Indians)

Lasith Malinga

I’m not too sure why the defending champions retained the Sri Lankan slinger ahead of the Ashes hero Mitchell Johnson. Sure, he is a proven match-winner, but his form has been rather indifferent lately.

Malinga has the knack of striking telling blows at crucial moments. His toe-crushers have been the bane of many batsmen around the world. In addition, he is very difficult to get away during the ‘death’, when the opposition looks to go for broke in pursuit of quick runs. And he can also be counted upon to hit a couple into the stands if required.

However, if Malinga fails to deliver early on in the tournament, Mumbai could be under pressure to win games. Given that he is the team’s premier strike bowler at the moment, we might just see the re-emergence of the wild-haired pacer sending down his thunderbolts at the rival camp with the old fire and accuracy.