Jaipur: Former Sri Lanka captain Lasith Malinga joined Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Rajasthan Royals as the fast bowling coach. South Africa’s Paddy Upton returned in a new role of team catalyst ahead of the 15th edition of the tournament, the franchise announced on Friday. The 38-year-old Sri Lankan, who led his country to the 2014 ICC T20 World Cup trophy, will be working during the upcoming season with the talented group of pacers in the Royals. Malinga will oversee the preparation of bowling strategies in the build-up and during the season while accelerating the development of the young bowlers by imparting his knowledge and expertise of T20 cricket. In the IPL, he represented Mumbai Indians for whom he grabbed 170 scalps in 122 matches. In February, he served as Sri Lanka’s Bowling Strategy Coach for their T20I series against Australia. Speaking on his appointment, Malinga said: “It is a wonderful feeling for me to return to the IPL and an absolute honour to join Rajasthan Royals, a franchise that has always promoted and developed young talent. I am excited by the pace bowling unit we have going into the tournament and looking forward to supporting all the fast bowlers with the execution of their game-plans and their overall development. “I have made some very special memories in the IPL with Mumbai Indians and now with Royals, looking forward to new experiences and creating great memories in this journey.” On the other hand, the appointment of Upton as team catalyst marked a return to the Royals for the South African, who has previously worked as the Head Coach of the franchise from 2013-15 and then in 2019, having led the team to top-four finishes in 2013 and 2015, along with a place in the Champions League in 2013. Being the Team Catalyst, Upton will play a crucial role in establishing team integration by bringing them together as a cohesive and mutually supporting unit. He will look after players mental well-being with the use of various mental conditioning processes and activities that aid in maintaining a healthy culture and environment especially within the restrictions of being in a bio-bubble. The South African has previously also worked as the mental conditioning coach for Indian men’s team during the 2011 ICC World Cup. Moreover, Trevor Penney (Assistant Coach), Zubin Bharucha (Strategy, Development and Performance Director) and Dishant Yagnik (Fielding Coach) will continue to serve in their respective roles. UNI BAV MR
