Cricket, as a game has evolved throughout the ages, with players coming out of their closets with different spells and tricks to baffle the opponents and leaving their mark and legacy over the game. From Test cricket to One Day Internationals (ODIs) to T20 Cricket, it was evident that, with the game evolving, the players needed to cope up and thus new talents emerged to take Cricket with a storm.
Lasith Malinga is one such player, who has been feared and respected at the same time by all, when he moved on the ground gracefully, with his unusual right-arm sling bowling technique and cut-throat Yorkers, took Sri Lanka with a new wave. Debuting in 2004, in a Test match against Australia, Malinga became an instant success, reigning upon the Aussies with a 6-wicket haul, while the Aussies were still trying to figure out the spell and understand his uncanny style. Added with that style, he also kept tormenting the batsmen with his pace and consistent Yorkers at death overs.
Considered to be one of the best death bowlers of all time, Malinga, playing for Sri Lanka has several enchanting records. He is known to be the only bowler who has taken 4 consecutive wickets, in back-to-back 4 balls; only bowler to hold the record of 3 hat-tricks in ODI formats; he is also the only bowler to have 2 World Cup hat-tricks to his name; the second highest wicket taker in T20 matches and the highest wicket taker of Indian Premier League.
However, on July 2019, the 35-year old, declared his retirement from One Day Internationals (ODIs). According to Sri Lankan captain Dimuth Karunaratne, Malinga is scheduled play his last match against Bangladesh, when Sri Lanka will reportedly face Bangladesh in a 3-day ODI series commencing July 26 onwards, at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Nevertheless, Lasith Malinga will continue representing Sri Lanka in T20I’s, and also wishes to conclude his slinger career only after T20 World Cup scheduled next year.
