IPL 2020: One experienced player each franchise should retain

Lasith Malinga (Mumbai Indians)

Lasith Malinga. (Picture Courtesy: BCCI/ iplt20.com)

Lasith Malinga is like fine wine; he just gets better with age. As recently as September 2019, he picked up four wickets in four balls in a T20 against New Zealand at Pallekele.

'Slinga' Malinga has been instrumental in making Mumbai Indians the most successful IPL franchise of all. Every time it seems his time is up, he puts his hand up and delivers an amazing performance.

After turning mentor for the 2018 season, he returned next year as a bowler, and proved reasonably effective. In 12 matches, Malinga picked up 16 wickets at a strike rate of 16.81. Although his economy rate was a bit on the higher side, at 9.76, he had two four-wicket hauls, which reinforced his wicket-taking ability.

After being hit around in the final, he claimed the wicket that made Mumbai Indians IPL 2019 winners.

Malinga’s toe-crushing yorkers have become legendary, and he can still pull them off against the best - as World Cup finalists New Zealand found out recently. Jasprit Bumrah has also acknowledged Malinga’s role in his rise as a wicket-taker with Mumbai Indians.

If Malinga is available for this season, there is every chance Mumbai will retain him.

Overall IPL record: 122 matches, 170 wickets