Full Name: Separamadu Lasith Malinga Date of Birth: August 28, 1983 Birthplace: Galle, Sri Lanka Role: Right-Arm Fast Bowler | Lower-Order Right-Handed Batter When you hear the name Lasith Malinga, cricket memories flash like lightning—flying golden curls, a low-arm slinging action, searing yorkers, and unforgettable death overs. With jersey number 99, Malinga wasn't just a bowler; he was a revolution in fast bowling, a symbol of unorthodoxy, and a match-winner whose very presence on the field sent chills down opponents’ spines. Born in the serene coastal town of Galle, Malinga grew up far from the elite cricketing academies. He played soft-ball street cricket near a riverbank with a carefree passion that later shaped his raw, unfiltered style. It was his unusual action—almost underarm at times—that caught the attention of Sri Lanka’s pace legend Chaminda Vaas, who brought him into the system. Malinga made his Test debut in 2004, but it was in limited-overs cricket that he would rise to global fame. His action, previously seen as a risk, became his greatest weapon. Batters found it impossible to pick the ball from his hand, and his toe-crushing yorkers—often delivered at over 145 km/h—became the stuff of legend. One of his most iconic moments came during the 2007 ICC World Cup, when he took 4 wickets in 4 balls against South Africa—a feat never before achieved in international cricket. That spell turned Malinga into a superstar and a household name. Malinga was Sri Lanka’s death-over specialist, the man captains turned to when chaos loomed. He was instrumental in Sri Lanka reaching the finals of the 2007 and 2011 World Cups and was a key figure in their 2014 T20 World Cup triumph, where he also captained the side. His bowling at the death was surgical—precise, cold, and brutal. Beyond international cricket, Malinga was a franchise legend, especially in the IPL, where he became the face of the Mumbai Indians bowling attack. With 170 wickets in the tournament, he reigned as the IPL's leading wicket-taker for years, helping MI win multiple titles and mentoring young bowlers across the globe. Despite multiple injuries and criticism over his fitness, Malinga never backed down. He took extended breaks but always returned—stronger, smarter, and deadlier. His comeback in 2019 to lead Sri Lanka’s pace attack in the World Cup and his 4 wickets in 4 balls against New Zealand in a T20I that same year proved that age could not dull genius. Off the field, Lasith Malinga is quiet, deeply loyal to his roots, and passionate about coaching and mentoring. He has started grooming the next generation of fast bowlers, including players like Matheesha Pathirana, who has modeled his action on Malinga’s own. With jersey number 99, Lasith Malinga is more than a Sri Lankan cricketing icon—he’s a once-in-a-generation talent, a fearless innovator, and the man who gave pace bowling a new identity. His legacy will forever sling through the annals of cricket history.