Lasith Malinga: The Slinga King Who Redefined Fast Bowling
**Let's Begin**
Lasith Malinga, the Sri Lankan speed phenom, is one of the most feared bowlers in cricket history. Known for his devastating yorkers, unorthodox slinging movement, and deadly accuracy, Malinga scared batsmen across all formats. From his debut in 2004 to his retirement in 2021, he made an everlasting imprint on the game.
This blog digs deep into Malinga’s career, his teams, and the **five most stunning and unforgettable moments** that characterized his legacy.
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## **Lasith Malinga’s Cricket Career & Teams**
### **International Career (Sri Lanka National Team)** Malinga played for **Sri Lanka** from **2004 to 2021**, participating in **30 Tests, 226 ODIs, and 84 T20Is**. He was a crucial figure in Sri Lanka’s golden period, helping them reach numerous ICC finals, including the **2007 & 2011 World Cups** and the **2012 & 2014 T20 World Cups**.
### **Indian Premier League (IPL) – Mumbai Indians**
Malinga was a **legend for Mumbai Indians (MI)** from **2009 to 2019**, playing **122 matches** and getting **170 wickets**. He was vital in MI’s **four IPL titles (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019)** and later served as their **bowling coach**.
### **Other Franchise Leagues** - **Melbourne Stars (Big Bash League)** - **Kent (County Cricket)** - **Rangpur Riders (Bangladesh Premier League)**
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## **5 Most Shocking & Memorable Moments of Lasith Malinga’s Career**
### **1. The Four Wickets in Four Balls (2007 World Cup vs. South Africa)** **Date:** March 28, 2007 **Venue:** Providence Stadium, Guyana
In one of the most **unbelievable spells in cricket history**, Malinga got **four wickets in four successive deliveries** against South Africa. Chasing 210, South Africa were cruising at 206/5 when Malinga dismissed:
- **Shaun Pollock (caught behind)** - **Andrew Hall (bowled with a beautiful yorker)** - **Jacques Kallis (bowled with another yorker)** - **Makhaya Ntini (trapped LBW)**
South Africa narrowly squeezed through to win by **1 wicket**, but Malinga’s **"near-impossible" feat** became a **instant classic**.
### **2. The 2014 T20 World Cup Final Heroics** **Date:** April 6, 2014 **Venue:** Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, Dhaka
Defending **13 runs in the last over** against India, Malinga **captained Sri Lanka** and guided them to their **first-ever T20 World Cup title**. His tactical genius, notably **using Nuwan Kulasekara in the 19th over**, stifled India’s chase.
### **3. The 2019 IPL Final – Defending 9 Runs in the Last Over** **Date:** May 12, 2019 ** Venue:** Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Hyderabad
In a **nail-biting finish**, Malinga defended **9 runs in the final over** against Chennai Super Kings (CSK). With **Shardul Thakur and Ravindra Jadeja** at the crease, Malinga produced a **perfect slower ball** to remove Thakur on the final delivery, clinching MI’s **fourth IPL title**.
### **4. The 2011 World Cup Final Heartbreak** **Date:** April 2, 2011 **Venue:** Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Despite Malinga’s **early strikes (dismissing Sehwag & Tendulkar)**, Sri Lanka fell to India in the final. His **2/42 in 9 overs** was a spectacular effort, but MS Dhoni’s legendary six clinched India’s triumph, leaving Malinga in tears.
### **5. The Retirement Shock (2021 – Quitting All Forms of Cricket)** **Date:** September 14, 2021
Malinga declared his **retirement from all forms of cricket**, surprising fans worldwide. His last match was for **Sri Lanka against. South Africa (2021 T20I)**. The cricket world paid tribute to the **"Yorker King"**, honoring his unrivaled impact.
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## **Conclusion: The Legacy of Lasith Malinga**
Malinga’s career was filled with **drama, records, and unforgettable moments**. From his **slinging action** to his **nerve-wracking last-over heroics**, he redefined fast bowling in limited-overs cricket.
His records include: - **First bowler with two ODI hat-tricks** - **Most T20I wickets for Sri Lanka (107)** - **Only bowler with 100+ wickets in both IPL and T20Is**
Lasith Malinga wasn’t simply a bowler—he was a **entertainer, a match-winner, and a legend**.
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