JOIN US Sri Lanka could be without their captain and ace bowler Lasith Malinga against India on Tuesday. The injury on his troublesome knee has flared up and the decision on his participation would be taken on the match day.
Malinga, 32, had returned from a three-month injury absence against the UAE in the ongoing Asia Cup but sat out in their second outing against Bangladesh. The team didn’t train on Monday but a team official confirmed that they would not be rushing in Malinga keeping in mind the forthcoming T20 World Cup in India.
“He has flared up his knee, we would be assessing his condition before the match and then decide accordingly. But we certainly won’t be rushing him in because we need him for the World Cup,” a team official said.
Angelo Mathews, who had led the side in Malinga’s absence against Bangladesh, too had said after the match on Sunday that he would be a doubtful starter against India.
“On Lasith, can't really say... It's a fitness issue. The management thought it was wise for him to rest today but don't really know about the future games,” Mathews said.
“Don't really know if we will have him for the next couple of games or the next game but it is what it is. We have got only what he have. You have to use only those resources in the game," he said.
Malinga had hinted at his retirement after the opening match against UAE because of recurring injuries.