Rajasthan Royals ropes in Lasith Malinga as fast bowling coach for IPL 2022

Rajasthan Royals ropes in Lasith Malinga as fast bowling coach for IPL 2022: Former Mumbai Indians bowling stalwart Lasith Malinga has been roped in by Rajasthan Royals (RR) as a fast bowling coach ahead of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) season fifteen, which is slated to commence on March 26.

In another announcement from Rajasthan Royals, the franchise also brought in Paddy Upton as ‘Team Catalyst.’

Lasith Malinga, who has played all his Indian Premier League (IPL) seasons with Mumbai Indians (MI), retired from all forms of cricket last January. He scalped a total of 546 wickets during his entire international career in 340 matches. 

The unorthodox pacer recently accompanied the Sri Lankan National side to Australia as their Bowling Strategy Coach.

As a fast bowling coach in the Rajasthan Royals (RR), Malinga’s primary role would be to strategise the bowling preparation in the build-up and during the IPL 2022. Moreover, he will give invaluable bowling training to the budding fast bowlers.

Malinga said he is honoured and excited to join the Royals family for the IPL 2022. 

“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.”

The Sri Lankan pacer has earlier served Mumbai Indians in a coach’s capacity. The speedster was roped in by MI as a bowling mentor during the IPL 2018 after he went unsold in the auctions.

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Paddy Upton served RR in the past as well:

Meanwhile, Paddy Upton, who has been appointed ‘team catalyst’, will help in team integration by bringing all the players together. The former South African will also be looking over the mental wellbeing of the players.

RR in the press release informed that Upton 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.”

It’s important to note that Paddy Upton has worked closely with the Rajasthan Royals in the past as well. He has been the head coach of the franchise from 2013-15 and in 2019.

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