Mumbai Indians rule Lankan ace Malinga out of IPL

Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga has been ruled out of this season's Indian Premier League because of the lingering knee injury that also sidelined him at the World Twenty20.

Malinga, the IPL's highest all-time wicket-taker, has flown back to Sri Lanka from India where he had been with his Mumbai Indians team, but had not played in any of their three matches.

"MI's star pacer, Lasith Malinga has been ruled out of IPL 2016 due to a knee injury," the team wrote on their official Twitter handle late Sunday.

"Malinga was expected to miss the first few matches of MI's IPL '16 campaign but the recovery period is longer than previously expected.

"MI will now look for a worthy replacement for Lasith Malinga this season," the team said.

Sri Lanka pace ace Lasith Malinga is at the centre of another controversy after pulling out of the World Twenty20 citing injury but flying to join Mumbai Indians for the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Malinga was dropped as Sri Lanka captain on the eve of the World T20 in India in March and April because of his injury and after presiding over Sri Lanka's dismal showing in the Asia Cup in which he only played the opener against UAE.

Sri Lanka cricket authorities on Sunday warned injured fast bowler Lasith Malinga against playing in the lucrative IPL without clearance from them.

Malinga, suffering a knee injury that forced him out of the World Twenty20, is in India where he has signed with the Mumbai Indians, although the veteran did not play in the franchise's first two outings.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said Malinga needed its clearance to play in any IPL matches and must return to Colombo for a fitness assessment on Wednesday before any IPL appearances.

"We have no problem with Malinga travelling to Mumbai to be with his IPL team," the spokeswoman for SLC president Thilanga Sumathipala told AFP. "But in order to play, he must get a NOC (no objection certificate) from SLC."

"Malinga has not informed Sri Lanka Cricket of his travel to India nor his intention to play in the IPL," she said.

After Wednesday's fitness assessment, "the board will decide what course of action should be taken".

However, cricinfo reported that Malinga has been ruled out of the IPL after the Mumbai Indians' medical team deemed him unfit for at least another four months.

The bone bruise to his left knee is also expected to keep Malinga out of Sri Lanka's forthcoming tour of England, as well as the Caribbean Premier League.

Sri Lanka Cricket doctors will now assess Malinga to determine whether surgery is required. The fast bowler returned to Sri Lanka after undergoing medical tests in Mumbai, it said.

"Mr. Malinga will present himself before the SLC panel of expert doctors on Wednesday (April 20) and depending on the outcome of the said medical examinations, be required to face a match fitness grading, after which SLC will take the next appropriate steps," a release from the board said.

The paceman has a long history of injury problems and gave up Test cricket in 2010, saying he was unable to withstand the rigour of five-day matches.

But Malinga is the IPL's all-time highest wicket taker. And the 32-year-old is considered an invaluable member of the Sri Lankan team, with teammate Thisara Perera describing him during the World T20 as irreplaceable.

Malinga sustained the injury during West Indies' tour of Sri Lanka last November.

He may also miss Sri Lanka's limited-overs matches against Australia, in August, particularly if he undergoes surgery.

Malinga had had surgery on his left ankle as well in 2014.

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