The IPL 2024 auction was no less than a celebrated affair as we saw some budding cricketers & young talents get some good bids from franchisees. One such shocking beneficiary in the IPL 2024 auction was none other than 24-year-old Nuwan Thushara. Known as the replica of legendary Lasith Malinga, the moment Nuwan Thushara’s name popped up in the auction no one had ever thought that the Sri Lankan fast bowler would grab such a huge deal. Nuwan Thusara was picked by Mumbai Indians for a massive 4.80 crores.
What happened in the IPL 2024 Auction?
Both KKR & RCB indulged in a bidding war for Nuwan Thusara & when it looked like Bangalore would be successful in bagging his services, Mumbai Indians popped up from nowhere & broke their bank to get Thushara’s services. They got the right arm ace speedster for 4.80 crore which is much more than his base price.
Nuwan Thushara’s Career Glimpse
Thushara is a capped player who has represented Sri Lanka five times in T20I format. Nuwan Thushara just like Matheesha Pathirana is regarded as Malinga’s regen. He is fondly called as ‘Podi Malinga’ for his clingy action which resonates with Malinga’s slingy action. Thushara bowls at a decent speed & has a unique ability to swing the ball conventionally & exploit reverse swing with the old ball. Just Like Pathirana, he could also bowl some deadly yorkers.
Thushara’s rewarding Stint in Abu Dhabi T10 League
Nuwan Thushara has represented the Deccan Gladiators in the Abu Dhabi T10 league & had a very impressive league. He ended the league as the second-highest wicket-taker in the league with 13 wickets on his name sclaping 2+ wickets in 5 out of 8 matches they have played in the tournament.
The time when he grabbed the limelight is when he dismissed Northern Warriors with the ball ending the game with stunning figures of 4-32 off 2 overs sclaping two wickets with the new ball & then again the same number in the death overs.
Nuwan Thushara’s stint for National team & Lanka Premier League
The golden opportunity for Nuwan Thushara came in January 2022 when he earned a spot in Sri Lanka’s ODI team for the series against Zimbabwe. His debut came shortly after being named in the T20I squad for the away series against Australia making his T20I debut on February 13, 2022.
Continuing his International presence, Thushara was included in Sri Lanka’s ODI team for the home series against Australia to be played in June 2022. In July 2022 he extended his association with the Galle Gladiators where he signed up for the third edition of LPL
He also played for Sri Lanka in 2023 where he featured in one T20I against Afghanistan. There was no stopping for Thushara as he went on to play in the Asian games for Sri Lanka where he displayed his magic by registering a four-wicket haul.
His stint in the Lanka Premier League 2023 was no less than extraordinary where he scalped 10+ wickets. He finished the 2023 edition of LPL with 11 wickets at an enticing economy rate of 8.15. He was a part of Jaffna Kings where he returned with figures of 9 for 11 at the death overs. He has a lot of talent & his raw skills will get polished when he is under the coaching of legendary Malinga.
Malinga is back as Mumbai Indians bowling coach & he will try to get the best of Thushara’s raw skills. The stellar 29-year-old speedster is in the early stage of his career & holds immense potential. Under the coaching of Malinga, his skills will flourish & he can truly become a threat for Mumbai Indians opponents.
Early Years of Nuwan Thushara’s Career
Nuwan Thushara began his cricketing journey through the domestic circuit. He made his first-class debut for Sinhalese Sports Club in the 2015-16 Premier League Tournament on December 26, 2015. His List A debut came for Colombo Cricket Club during the Premier Limited overs Tournament 2017-18 edition. Notably, he was drafted by the Galle Gladiators in October 2020 for the inaugural edition of the league. It marked Thushara’s introduction to the Lanka Premier League.
It would be worth seeing whether Thushara will keep up with Mumbai Indians owner’s expectations & help them to win their sixth title in the Indian Premier League. With the return of Malinga as their bowling coach & Hardik Pandya as their Captain, many transitions are going on in the Mumbai Indians lineup. Whether they get their sixth title or the decision to replace Rohit Sharma are their Captain will backfire? All will be known when the action will begin in IPL 2024 in March.
Also read, IPL 2024 Auction: KKR signs Mitchell Starc for 24.75 Crore
