Press Trust of India
Mumbai, April 8: Although handicapped by the absence of their pace injured spearhead Lasith Malinga, who may miss the entire IPL-IX commencing here Saturday, title holders Mumbai Indians (MI) are quite confident that there are others capable of stepping into the Sri Lankan’s shoes.
“The (franchise) owners and (head coach) Ricky (Ponting) have done a good job in recruiting a couple of fast bowlers in the side. So we have cover for him (Malinga). If he arrives fit, he will surely fit into our squad. If he doesn’t, we have good cover
for him,” said MI’s bowling coach Shane Bond here Friday ahead of the team’s lung-opener against the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led new outfit, Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS).
“Nothing changes in the depth of the squad. When it comes to IPL during the course of time, you just can’t depend on one player, you have to rely on 16,” Bond asserted.
Malinga, who played a major role last year by taking 24 wickets in 15 games in MI’s memorable come from behind run to the title for the second time, has hurt his knee and could not play in the T20 World Cup. Ponting had also confidently said Friday that there were adequate replacements if Malinga failed to play this season in the IPL.