Mumbai Indians' head coach, Mark Boucher, has expressed high regard for Nuwan Thushara, a 29-year-old Sri Lankan cricketer recently acquired by Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2024 auction. Boucher believes that Thushara, a right-arm medium pacer, will play a crucial role as an 'x-factor' player for the team in the forthcoming season of the Indian Premier League.
The auction, held at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai on December 19, saw the Mumbai-based franchise, owned by the Ambani family, successfully bid Rs 4.80 crore to bring Thushara into their squad. Thushara, who has represented Sri Lanka in five T20 Internationals, is noted for his unique slinging bowling action, reminiscent of the Sri Lankan cricket legend Lasith Malinga.
"Nuwan Thushara came into the equation in the last month or two. I was actually at the T10 competition that was played in Abu Dhabi. I saw him there; he was bowling well; he picked up a lot of wickets; and he was not getting hit at the death as well. Polly (Kieron Pollard) was actually playing in that competition as well, so he actually got to face him," Boucher was quoted as saying after IPL 2024 auction.
“Mali (Lasith Malinga) has worked with him before as well. It was the right pick for all of us, and we were all very happy. Mahela (Jayawardene) has been around him as well, so it was the right pick for all of us. He gives us some great variation, and we have seen that in the IPL, if you have something different, you become a bit of an X-factor player, and he will be our X-factor player," the MI coach added.
In addition to Thushara, Mumbai Indians bolstered their bowling attack by signing two young and promising talents - Gerald Coetzee from South Africa and Dilshan Madushanka from Sri Lanka. Both bowlers, aged 23, showcased remarkable form in the ODI World Cup 2023. Madushanka emerged as a key player for Sri Lanka, claiming 21 wickets in nine matches and finishing as the third-highest wicket-taker of the tournament. Coetzee, on his part, made a significant impact by taking 20 wickets, positioning him as the fourth-highest wicket-taker in the World Cup.
Mumbai Indians' strategic acquisitions, including Thushara's signing, reflect the team's focus on strengthening their bowling department with a mix of experienced and emerging talents. The addition of these players is expected to add depth and variety to Mumbai Indians' bowling lineup, enhancing their prospects in the upcoming IPL season.
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