Mumbai Indians (MI) legend Lasith Malinga is all set to return to the franchise ahead of IPL 2024. However, the right-arm pacer will now be associated with the Rohit Sharma-led side in a different capacity as he will be the fast-bowling coach of the franchise. The former Sri Lankan speedster will replace New Zealand's Shane Bond who has been the fast bowling coach at the franchise for the past nine years. It is pertinent to note that Malinga was part of the Rajasthan Royals (RR) coaching setup after retiring in 2021 and remained there for two seasons.

While an official confirmation from the franchise is awaited, the news is confirmed as reported in an EspnCricinfo report. This will not be Malinga's maiden stint in MI's support staff. Before this, he had served as the team mentor in 2018. However, he returned to the field in 2019 and famously bowled a slower ball yorker to get CSK's Shardul Thakur out on the last ball of the final to help MI win by 1 run and lift their fourth title.

Among the highest wicket-takers in the history of the competition, Maling managed to play a significant role in five of their title wins. While he was there in the team in four of their five IPL titles, he was a key member of th3 Champions League T20 winning MI side in 2011. His IPL numbers are incredible, playing 122 matches and picking 170 wickets at an impressive economy of 7.12.

As far as Bond is concerned, he had joined the team in 2015 and formed the crux of the management with Rohit the captain and Mahela Jayawardene as the coach. Jayawardene remained head of the coaching staff from 2017 to 2022. The same Espncricinfo report has confirmed that it is still not sure whether Bond will remain the head coach of the MI Emirates side, a sister franchise of Mumbai Indians in the ILT20.