Malinga Hints at Retirement, Cites Mental Fatigue

Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga is now in the twilight of his career. He knows that he is no longer as effective as he used to be. So the 34-year old Malinga hints that retirement may be the only option left. Malinga admitted that he is mentally done with international cricket and his eventful IPL career. However, this will not be the last we see of the pacer, on Wednesday, he was appointed as the Mumbai Indians‘ bowling mentor.

Malinga has always been at the forefront of the Mumbai Indians arsenal in the last decade. In 110 matches, he has donned the Mumbai Indians jersey out of 157 games. He said, “Mentally I am over with playing cricket. I don’t think I will play anymore international cricket. I am planning to announce my retirement soon. I have not spoken to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) but once I go back I will have to again go through domestic grind, see how my body responds. But now as my IPL career is also over and I am starting a new chapter with Mumbai Indians, I might not play again”.

He admitted that it would be tough not to play in front the Wankhede Stadium crowd wearing the Mumbai Indians blue jersey but he knew that it was the right decision. He continued, “Everyone gets that signal. Even the great Wasim Akram knew when his time was up. I was not surprised at their decision not to have retained me. I had 10 very good years with Mumbai Indians and I achieved a lot. But this year, the owners spoke to me and told me about their vision going forward. They wanted to create a good team for the next three years. I also understand that my time in competitive cricket is over now.”

Now, he is looking forward to the new chapter of his life as a mentor. He said, “I am 34-years-old and not getting any younger. And I feel this is the right time to make a career move. Mumbai Indians had the mentorship role in mind and I am happy to start a new innings.”