IPL 2021: Mumbai Indians release Lasith Malinga, Nathan Coulter-Nile, James Pattinson

Four-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians have decided to part ways with their talisman pacers Lasith Malinga, Aussie duo Nathan Coulter-Nile and Mitchell Mcclenaghan amoung the six released players. Rohit Sharma and company however have kept their core – Jasprit Bumrah, Pandaya brothers, Trent Boult, Kieron Pollard and Quinton De Kock– intact. Sherfane Rutherford, Prince Balwant Singh and Digvijay Deshmukh are the others who will not don the Mumbai colours as of now.

As expected, the Neeta Ambani owned franchise bid farewell to their mainstay slinger, Lasith Malinga as announced on Wednesday. In 122 games, Malinga tops the wicket taking charts in the IPL, 170 wickets to his name at an average of 19.80 and an economy rate of 7.14. The champion fast bowler did not play in the 2018 edition as Mumbai Indians decided to use his services as a mentor. In the 2020 edition, the Sri Lankan opted out of the tournament citing personal reasons.

Nathan Coulter-Nile joined the Mumbai camp in 2020 while James Pattinson was announced as Lasith Malinga’s replacement. Mitchell McClenaghan, who has been a part of the MI franchise since 2015 not get a game in 2020.