Nuwan Thushara, the Malinga regen purchased by Mumbai Indians for 4.8 crore

When 29-year-old Nuwan Thushara’s name popped up in the accelerated auction, few expected the unorthodox Sri Lankan speedster to get a bid. But in a twist few saw coming, Thushara got picked for a whopping 4.80 crore. 

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) initially fought for the pacer but just when it looked like RCB were set to secure the right-armer, Mumbai Indians (MI) popped up out of nowhere, went all in and secured the speedster’s services.

Thushara is a capped player who has represented Sri Lanka five times but he is no ‘normal’ pacer. He, just like Matheesha Pathirana, is a Malinga regen who is known as ‘podi Malinga’ for his slingy action. He bowls at a decent click and has the ability to both swing the ball conventionally and also exploit reverse-swing with the old ball. Like Pathirana, he is also someone that possesses a wicked yorker.

Thushara recently represented the Deccan Gladiators in the Abu Dhabi T10 League and had a very impressive tournament. He finished as the second-highest wicket-taker in the competition with 13 scalps to his name, picking 2+ wickets in 5 of the 8 matches in the tournament. 

He was in the limelight recently for blowing away Northern Warriors with the new ball. He finished the game in question with figures of 4/12 off his 2 overs, taking two wickets with the new ball and then two again at the death.

The 29-year-old has also played for Sri Lanka this year. Prior to the World Cup, he featured in one T20I against Afghanistan, in the Asian Games, and picked up a four-wicket haul (3-0-17-4). 

Thushara represented Jaffna Kings in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) this year. He was among seven bowlers to take 10+ wickets in the competition: he finished LPL 2023 with 11 wickets at an E.R of 8.15. For Jaffna, 9 of his 11 wickets in the season came at the death.

The 29-year-old is someone that is still raw but has bags of potential. With Malinga back at MI as the franchise’s bowling coach, expect the Lankan legend to get the best out of this promising youngster.