IPL 2022: Malinga Appointed as Rajasthan Royals Bowling Coach

Former Sri Lanka paceman Lasith Malinga was appointed as the new fast bowling coach of the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Rajasthan Royals (RR), ahead of the upcoming season of the cash-rich league.

As per IPL 2022 Schedule, the tournament will kickstart from March 26 with the final match on May 29, 2022.

Malinga Appointed as Rajasthan Royals Bowling Coach

Malinga will join RR’s management staff consisting of his former Sri Lanka teammate Kumara Sangakkara, who is the Director of Cricket as the franchise.

Malinga, who won four IPL titles with the Mumbai Indians, last featured in the tournament during the 2019 season. Notably, Malinga is the leading wicket-taker in the history of the IPL with 170 dismissals to his name.

Earlier Malinga had announced his retirement from all formats of the game in January 2021.

*𝐤𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥*

Lasith Malinga. IPL. Pink. 💗#RoyalsFamily | #TATAIPL2022 | @ninety9sl pic.twitter.com/p6lS3PtlI3

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) March 11, 2022

On his appointment, Malinga said: “It’s a wonderful feeling for me to return to the IPL and an absolute honour to join Rajasthan Royals, a franchise that has always promoted and developed young talent.

I am excited by the pace bowling unit we have going into the tournament and looking forward to supporting all the fast bowlers with the execution of their game plans and their overall development.

I’ve made some very special memories in the IPL with Mumbai Indians and now with Royals, looking forward to new experiences and creating great memories in this journey.”

Upton was the RR head coach from 2013-15 and then in 2019, and as a Team Catalyst this year will “play a crucial role in establishing team integration by bringing them together as a cohesive and mutually supporting unit, and look after their mental well-being with the use of various mental conditioning processes and activities that aid in maintaining a healthy culture and environment especially within the restrictions of being in a bio-bubble,” RR informed in a press release.

Sangakkara Welcomes New Joines

Kumar Sangakkara, who will continue to serve as RR’s head coach during the season and their Director of Cricket off it, welcomed the two new members.

“Lasith is arguably one of the greatest T20 fast bowlers of all time, and to have a personality like his around the training ground, and the expertise he brings to the table is certainly something we feel the team can benefit from. We have some of the best fast bowlers in our squad and we are delighted that they will have the chance to work with Lasith and get to learn and develop further”.

“It’s the same with Paddy, who has been a great servant for the Royals, and has done an exceptional job in building that cohesion between players and also conditioning them mentally. We believe he will act as a great addition to our coaching staff. I am also excited to keep working with this new team in my dual role as Head Coach during the season and Director of Cricket round the year, and hope that all our efforts can contribute towards achieving our objective of winning the IPL,” Kumar added.

Rajasthan Royals Support Staffs