The right-arm bowler blamed the Covid pandemic and the travel restrictions that come with it as the reason for quitting franchise cricket.
Sri Lanka pace bowler Lasith Malinga, the top wicket-taker of the Indian Premier League (IPL), has retired from franchise cricket that is why he was not retained by the Mumbai Indians (MI) for the 2021 season, the franchise said in a statement.
Malinga, 37, had been with MI for 12 years, right from the first IPL season in 2008. He is the highest wicket-taker in the history of the league with 170 wickets from 122 matches at an economy rate of 7.14. The right-arm bowler blamed the Covid pandemic and the travel restrictions that come with it as the reason for quitting franchise cricket.
"...Lasith Malinga has decided to retire from franchise cricket. The Sri Lankan speedster informed his decision to the Mumbai Indians management earlier this month, making himself unavailable for the champion side's retention wish list," said a statement from MI. "Mumbai Indians management respects Lasith Malinga's decision and hence he is not part of the club's 18-member retention squad announced today," it said.
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