Nuwan Thushara, a Sri Lankan pace bowler with a bowling action resembling the legendary Lasith Malinga, is making his mark in the IPL with the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the 2024 season. Here's a breakdown of his cricketing journey:

• Playing Style: Right-arm fast bowler
• IPL Debut: 2024 (for Mumbai Indians)
• IPL Team (2024): Mumbai Indians (MI)

Early Career and Rise in Sri Lanka:

• Thushara started playing serious cricket a little later than most professional cricketers.

• Despite the late start, he impressed everyone with his slingy action and raw pace in domestic tournaments.

• Breakthrough Performances:

  • He had a successful stint in the 2023 Lanka Premier League (LPL), emerging as the highest wicket-taker for Jaffna Kings.
  • He also made his international debut for Sri Lanka in 2022 and continued to impress with his wicket-taking abilities, including a memorable hat-trick against Bangladesh.

IPL Entry and Mumbai Indians (2024):

• Thushara's talent caught the eye of IPL franchises during the 2024 auction.
• He was picked up by the Mumbai Indians in a bidding war against Royal Challengers Bangalore for a whopping INR 4.8 crore.
• His bowling style, similar to their legendary bowler Malinga, likely played a role in their decision.

Strengths and Potential Role in MI (IPL 2024):

• Malinga-esque Action: His unique slingy bowling action can be deceptive for batsmen and creates awkward angles.
• Raw Pace: He possesses good pace, making him a threat in the initial overs and during the death bowling stages.
• Emerging Talent: While relatively new to the international scene, he has the potential to be a valuable asset for Mumbai Indians' pace attack.

Looking Ahead:

• With Jasprit Bumrah recovering from an injury, Nuwan Thushara has a great opportunity to establish himself in the Mumbai Indians lineup.
• His performance in IPL 2024 will be crucial in determining his future with the franchise and his overall IPL career.