The Indian Premier League, on April 18, entered into its 13th edition. A jury consists of 50 members picked up the best players for certain categories in the T20 extravaganza over the last 12 years. MS Dhoni was named the GOAT Captain in IPL, Virat Kohli won the best Indian batsman title. AB de Villiers was picked as the best batsman while Lasith Malinga was named the best bowler in history of IPL.
There were few debates about the other players, but it seems Malinga was the unanimous choice in the best bowlers’ category. And it was the ideal choice for what he has done over the years in the format. He is the highest wicket-taker in the history of the cash-rich league with 170 wickets to his name in 122 matches at an impressive average of 19.79 and a brilliant economy of just over 7.
Kevin Pietersen, who also was the part of the jury, chose Lasith Malinga as the winner, and the former applauded the Sri Lankan veteran for the way he has bowled in the league over the years. He also went on to say that he would’ve gone with Sunil Narine but pointed out that the Caribbean bowler has bowled on helpful wickets, unlike Malinga, who has time and again delivered in tough situations and on flat pitches.
The former England cricketer also added that Narine’s action has also come under the scanner before while Lasith Malinga’s exceptional use of yorker has been talked about every time. “I’m going with Lasith. You look at the numbers he has provided and the way he has consistently used that yorker that makes everyone talk about it. Malinga is my guy.”
“I would go with Narine, but he has bowled on wickets which helped turn. Also, he has been questioned on a few occasions for this suspect bowling action, so I am afraid to say that I am going with Malinga,” Kevin Pietersen said while speaking in Star Sports’ Cricket Connected.
Apart from him, the likes of Dean Jones, Mathew Hayden, Aakash Chopra, Graeme Smith, Simon Doull, Ian Bishop, and Tom Moody all voted in Lasith Malinga’s favor for the GOAT IPL bowler award.
