-Vinay Kumar
IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals has appointed former Sri Lankan legend fast bowler Lasith Malinga as the fast bowling coach on Friday, 11 March 2022. Along with this, Rajasthan Royals have also added Paddy Upton to their team’s coaching staff. It is worth noting that in his international career, Lasith Malinga has taken 546 wickets in 340 matches played in all three formats of cricket.
Meanwhile, the New Zealand Cricket Board has given NOC to 12 of its players to play in IPL 2022. That is, all the players involved in IPL 2022 will be available to be selected to play from the first match of the new season starting from 26 March. 12 New Zealand players are participating in IPL 2022.
There is also a latest news related to IPL 2022 that, Mumbai Indians MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene has already joined his team before IPL 2022. While Stephen Fleming, Devon Conway and Adam Milne are expected to join the Yellow Army Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by March 15. The latest IPL season is going to start from March 26. The first match of this season will be between Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders (CSK vs KKR) at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
It is worth noting that for the first time in IPL history, legendary bowler Lasith Malinga has joined a team other than Mumbai Indians. Malinga joined the Mumbai Indians team in IPL 2009 as a player and started his IPL journey this season with a match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
He contributed to making his team champion 4 times while in Mumbai Indians as a player. During this time he took 170 wickets with his lethal bowling. His name is still on the top of the list of bowlers who have taken the most wickets in the history of IPL.
Former Sri Lankan cricket team captain Kumar Sangakkara will continue as the head coach of Rajasthan Royals this season like IPL 2021. Apart from this, he will also continue to be the Director of Cricket for Rajasthan Royals (RR). Malinga said in an official statement, “It is a wonderful feeling to be back in the IPL, and it is an honor to be associated with Rajasthan Royals.”
Remind you that, Paddy Upton has worked with ‘Rajasthan Royals’ in the past as well. He was with the team as a coach from IPL 2013 to IPL 2015 and then in IPL 2019. During IPL 2013 to IPL 2015, Rajasthan Royals (RR) made it to the top-4. Let us remind you that Upton will be with the team for 4 weeks from the start of IPL 2022. After this, you will be in touch with the team through virtual medium.
Rajasthan Royals RR said in an official statement, “As a team catalyst, Paddy Upton will be instrumental in the team’s cohesion. They will also keep an eye on the mental conditioning of the players – and the activities, especially the provisions of the bio-bubble.”