IPL 2020: Lasith Malinga pulls out of Mumbai Indians squad for personal reasons

Sri Lanka great will not fly out to be with team in Abu Dhabi, James Pattinson signed as a replacement

Lasith Malinga has been a Mumbai Indians player since the first Indian Premier League in 2008. AFP

Lasith Malinga, the leading wicket taker in IPL history, has pulled out of the Mumbai Indians squad.

The defending champions have signed James Pattinson, the Australia fast bowler, as a replacement.

Mumbai are in Abu Dhabi preparing for the season’s start, which is scheduled for September 19.

Malinga had yet to join them, and has now made himself unavailable due to personal reasons. Instead, Pattinson is due to fly into the capital this weekend.

“James is the right fit for us, and adds to our pace-attack options, especially for the conditions we will play in this season,” Akash Ambani, Mumbai’s owner, was quoted as saying on the team’s website.

“Lasith is a legend and a pillar of MI’s strength. There is no denying the fact that we will miss Lasith’s cricketing acumen this season.

“However, we fully understand Lasith’s need to be in Sri Lanka with his family during this time.”