He led Sri Lanka in the 2014 International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup final in Bangladesh after the regular Lankan Skipper of the tournament, Dinesh Chandimal, got a ban. Sri Lanka beat India in that final to win their only T20 World Cup. Meanwhile his hairstyle, tattoos, and eyebrow piercings sparked criticism from the old-school cricket observers, including World Cup winning legend Arjuna Ranatunga, but his ‘goldilocked-hairstyle’ had become an overwhelming craze right round the cricket world as fans used to wear wigs that emulated Malinga’s hair in almost all cricket venues in the world. He won four IPL trophies, in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and two Champions League T20 titles, in 2011 and 2013 for MI, giving the cricket-crazy nation long-lasting memories. As he announces his retirement from T20 cricket, we just have three words to say – Thank.

Source: The Nation September 14, 2021 18:00 UTC