Mumbai: Just as you thought everything is in place for Mumbai Indians this season, head coach Mahela Jayawardene confirmed that the side is going to miss the services of New Zealand pacer Adam Milne with Lasith Malinga’s participation for the full season being uncertain for the 12th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The former Sri Lankan captain, ahead of their first match against Delhi Capitals, said that Milne has not yet recovered from an ankle injury. “We were waiting for his (Milne’s) fitness report. He had an injury four weeks back while playing a game, so we needed to wait for his recovery and his progress,” said Jayawardene.
“We had a report two days back saying that he is not 100 per cent (fit) and he might not be able to be part of the extended IPL, so we have realised that we need a replacement. We are considering that. But we have got enough resources (for now),” he added.
The 35-year-old Malinga too, due to his international assignment against South Africa, is unlikely to join the team for the first couple of IPL games. Jayawardene said that the MI management was not aware of a scheduled domestic T20 tournament (April 4-11) which has been made mandatory for all Lanka players to figure in to be eligible for selection for the World Cup.
“The report (in the media) was last night, so we need to gather (our) thoughts and see. If you read the entire thing, the tournament (in Sri Lanka) is for four or five days in April. When we got into the auction, Sri Lanka cricket gave us his availability schedule and that tournament wasn’t a part of that,” the former Sri Lankan batsman said.