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The Mumbai Indians (MI) are set to face Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in match number 41 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. MI will be aiming to turn their fortunes around against an opposition that has been in red-hot form so far this season.
While MI’s bowling unit has shown signs of improvement in the last two games, their batting continues to be a concern in the absence of Rohit Sharma. Jasprit Bumrah has regained his rhythm, and young bowlers like Allah Ghazanfar and Ashwani Kumar have stepped up impressively under the guidance of their bowling coach Lasith Malinga.
Amid this resurgence, Ashwani Kumar recently spoke about how the Sri Lankan legend has influenced not just his bowling but also his mindset in high-pressure situations.
Ashwani Kumar about Lasith Malinga's influence
Kumar opened up ahead of the MI vs SRH clash, revealing that he feels no pressure when stepping onto the field, thanks to Malinga’s mentorship. He emphasized how the former pacer has helped him understand the mental side of the game and improve his ability to handle pressure.
"When I go out for the match, there is no pressure. When I get the chance, I go out there - there is nothing like that (pressure). He (Lasith Malinga) talks to me about the mental side - how to handle pressure. I am also working with him on my yorkers," Kumar said (via Cricbuzz).
How Kumar has performed this season so far
The 24-year-old has featured in just two matches for the Mumbai Indians this season but has already made a strong impact. He has picked up six wickets—four against the Gujarat Titans and two against the Chennai Super Kings.
Kumar has maintained an impressive average of 10.17 with an economy rate of 7.63, conceding only 61 runs in the eight overs he has bowled so far.
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