IPL 2022: We have a fantastic pace attack – RR bowling coach Lasith Malinga

Rajasthan Royals bowling coach Lasith Malinga hailed the team’s pace bowling line-up before the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League.

The inaugural champions were able to rope in foreign bowlers like Trent Boult and Nathan Coulter-Nile. Rajasthan Royals had also roped in Prasidh Krishna, who has impressed with his pace and bounce in the recent past.

Navdeep Saini can also trouble the opposition batters with his extra pace. Furthermore, Rajasthan was able to get new faces such as Anunay Singh, Kuldeep Sen, and Kuldip Yadav. Moreover, apart from these fast bowlers, Rajasthan Royals were able to rope in veteran spinners such as Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal.

Consequently, the Sanju Samson-led team has a potent bowling line-up and Lasith Malinga, who is regarded as one of the best bowlers of the IPL, will look to get the best out of his players.

Malinga is looking forward to his new role as the bowling coach and wants to pass on his knowledge to the next generation of players.

“I think we have a fantastic pace attack. You’ve got experienced overseas players like Boult and Coulter-Nile, with whom I’ve worked before. Then we’ve got genuine Indian fast bowlers in Prasidh and Saini, who have proven themselves at the highest level, and some new faces in Anunay Singh, Kuldeep Sen and Kuldip Yadav. In T20 cricket, I think little margins really matter, and I’m here to guide them to deliver their best in all situations,” stated Malinga.

Former Sri Lankan fast bowler who troubled the opposition with his accurate yorkers added that it is imperative for the bowlers to work on their strengths and get better in their execution.

“I think most of the times teams focus on analyzing the opposition and looking at their weaknesses. But in my experience, I think what works best is when you work on your strengths and bowl according to them. In T20, you only have to bowl 24 balls, which works in our favour, but it’s also important to trust your instincts as to which variations can work in which situations.”

Malinga revealed that his former Sri Lankan teammate Kumar Sangakkara asked him if he would be interested in joining Rajasthan Royals as a bowling coach.

“It was actually last year that Kumar (Sangakkara) asked me if I was interested. But with COVID and all the bubble restrictions, I didn’t want to stay away from my family. But this year, having also worked with the Sri Lankan team, I felt I could use my experience and give back to the game that I love, by working with this group of players,” expressed IPL’s highest wicket-taker.

The inaugural champions will take on the Sunrisers Hyderabad in their opening clash of the season on March 29 at the MCA Stadium in Pune.