The Indian Premier League 2020 (IPL 2020) season is set to commence on September 19 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The event is likely to see a delay in arrivals of two Sri Lankan bowlers, Lasith Malinga and Isuru Udana, for their respective franchises. Lasith Malinga is slated to reprise his role as Mumbai Indians pacer after he was retained by the franchise in late 2019. Meanwhile, Isuru Udana was roped in by the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) during the IPL 2020 auction.
The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) recently announced the schedule of their upcoming Lanka Premier League 2020. The inaugural edition of the tournament is on course to be played between August 28 and September 20, i.e. until one day after the launch of IPL 2020. Mumbai Indians pacer Lasith Malinga is slated to play in the Lanka Premier League 2020 and will have to compete till September 20 if his team reaches the final. The Sri Lanka Cricket reportedly announced that none of their cricketers will be allowed to leave the tournament midway in order to participate in IPL 2020 or any other league.
Sri Lanka Cricket Executive Committee at the meeting held today (27th July) granted approval to conduct the inaugural Lanka Premier League T20 Tournament from 28th August to 20th September 2020. #SLC #LPL #LPLT20 https://t.co/s1wvom122R
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) July 27, 2020
As per biosecurity measures reportedly being churned out by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and IPL 2020 governing council, players will have to quarantine themselves for 72 hours after reaching UAE. That coupled with the recent Sri Lanka announcement would mean that Lasith Malinga would arrive 7-8 days late to the Mumbai Indians camp. Further, Mumbai Indians coach, Mahela Jayawardene’s absence is likely to be another hit to the Mumbai Indians side. Although no official line-up has been confirmed yet by Sri Lanka Cricket yet, the former Sri Lankan captain is likely to coach one of the five competing teams in the tournament.
