Rajasthan Royals appoint Lasith Malinga, Paddy Upton in coaching roles

Ahead of the upcoming IPL 2022 season, Rajasthan Royals have added Lasith Malinga and Paddy Upton to their coaching staff. Malinga will be the side's new fast-bowling coach whereas Upton has been brought in as the "Team Catalyst."

Malinga, who was with Mumbai Indians earlier but retired from all franchise cricket last January, recently accompanied Sri Lanka's men team to Australia as their Bowling Strategy Coach. As a fast bowling coach for RR, he would be expected to "oversee the preparation of bowling strategies in the build-up and during the season" and "accelerating the development of the young bowlers."

On his appointment, Malinga said: "It's a wonderful feeling for me to return to the IPL and an absolute honour to join Rajasthan Royals, a franchise that has always promoted and developed young talent. I am excited by the pace bowling unit we have going into the tournament and looking forward to supporting all the fast bowlers with the execution of their game-plans and their overall development. I've made some very special memories in the IPL with Mumbai Indians and now with Royals, looking forward to new experiences and creating great memories in this journey."

Upton was the RR head coach from 2013-15 and then in 2019, and as a Team Catalyst this year will "play a crucial role in establishing team integration by bringing them together as a cohesive and mutually supporting unit, and look after their mental well-being with the use of various mental conditioning processes and activities that aid in maintaining a healthy culture and environment especially within the restrictions of being in a bio-bubble," RR informed in a press release.

Upton will be with the team inside the bubble for the initial four weeks and will later join the team virtually.

Kumar Sangakkara, who will continue to serve as RR's head coach during the season and their Director of Cricket off it, welcomed the two new members.

"Lasith is arguably one of the greatest T20 fast bowlers of all-time, and to have a personality like his around the training ground, and the expertise he brings to the table, is certainly something we feel the team can benefit from. We have some of the best fast bowlers in our squad and we are delighted that they will have the chance to work with Lasith and get to learn and develop further.

"It's the same with Paddy, who has been a great servant for the Royals, and has done an exceptional job in building that cohesion between players and also conditioning them mentally. We believe he will act as a great addition to our coaching staff. I am also excited to keep working with this new team in my dual role as Head Coach during the season and Director of Cricket round the year, and hope that all our efforts can contribute towards achieving our objective of winning the IPL," Kumar added.

Trevor Penney (Assistant Coach), Zubin Bharucha (Strategy, Development and Performance Director) and Dishant Yagnik (Fielding Coach) will continue to serve in their respective roles, the franchise informed.