IPL 2016: Mumbai Indians' Lasith Malinga ruled out of tournament

Mumbai Indians have suffered a huge blow as key bowler Lasith Malinga has been ruled out of the IPL 2016 due to knee injury. Mumbai Indians have not made any announcement regarding his replacement nor his injury. The knee injury had also ruled the player out of the World T20 midway during the competition. 

The Sri Lanka cricket board had not cleared the bowler to participate in the IPL, but Malinga travelled to India and joined the franchise, and was also part of their training sessions.

But Mumbai Indians' medical team stated that the player will not be fit to play in the tournament, and could miss another four months of cricket, reported ESPN Cricinfo. 

The player has now returned to his nation, and will be checked upon by the national team doctors as well. Such news will come as a huge setback to Sri Lanka cricket as well for the player will miss the tour of England, where he was expected to play an important role with the ball. 

"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," SLC said in a statement.