New Delhi, March 11: Rajasthan Royals on Friday appointed former Sri Lanka pacemaker Lasith Malinga as their fast bowling coach ahead of the upcoming 2022 IPL season.
The 38-year-old T20 World Cup winning captain Malinga, who represented Sri Lanka in 340 matches across all three formats and collected 546 wickets, will oversee the preparation of bowling strategies in the build-up to and during the season.
The pacemaker, who has only represented one team (Mumbai Indians in the IPL and grabbed 170 scalps in 122 matches), said he hopes to create new memories with a new franchise.
“It is a wonderful feeling for me to return to the IPL and an absolute honor to join the Rajasthan Royals, a franchise that has always promoted and developed young talent,” Malinga said in a statement issued by the franchise, “I am excited by the unity pace of bowling we have for the tournament and we look forward to supporting all the fast bowlers with executing their game plans and their overall development I have made some very special memories in the IPL with the Mumbai Indians and now the Royals looking looking forward to new experiences and creating great memories on this journey.”
Meanwhile, Rajasthan has also cast Paddy Upton in a new “Team Catalyst” role. It will mark the return of Upton to the Royals, who previously served as the franchise’s head coach from 2013 to 2015 and then in 2019, having led the team to top-four finishes in 2013 and 2015, along with a spot in the League. of Champions. in 2013.
Kumar Sangakkara, who will continue to serve as head coach during the season and RR’s Director of Cricket outside of it, welcomed the two new members.
“Lasith is arguably one of the greatest T20 fast bowlers of all time, and having a personality like his on the training pitch and the experience he brings to the table is something we feel the team can build on. We have some of the best fast pitchers on our team and we are delighted that they will have the opportunity to work with Lasith and learn and develop further,” said Sangakkara.
“It’s the same with Paddy, who has been a great servant to the Royals and has done an exceptional job of building that cohesion between the players and also conditioning them mentally. We think he will act as a great addition to our coaching staff. I too I am excited to continue working with this new team in my dual role as Head Coach during the season and Director of Cricket throughout the year, and I hope that all of our efforts can contribute to achieving our goal of winning the IPL.”
The franchise also said that Trevor Penney (assistant coach), Zubin Bharucha (director of strategy, development and performance) and Dishant Yagnik (field coach) will continue in their respective roles.