Rajasthan Royals, after a disappointing campaign last year, have upped the ante going into the 15th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2022).

Their intent reflected in the new players they signed during the IPL mega auction held in Bengaluru last month. And now with only two weeks left in the start of the mega event, they have made another important appointment.

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The winners of the inaugural edition have roped in Sri Lankan legend Lasith Malinga to look after their fast-bowling department. Widely regarded as the one of the best bowlers in limited-over cricket, Malinga’s appointment comes as a massive boost to RR’s young pace battery which includes the likes of Trent Boult, Prasidh Krishna, Navdeep Saini, among others.

Speaking about the new challenge, the former Sri Lanka pacer said it was an “absolute honour” to join the franchise that has always taken young talents under its wings and nurtured them by providing them with the right kind of support and environment.

WATCH: Malinga shows his class with 4/31

Full video here https://t.co/62XCEqXETR #MumbaiIndians pic.twitter.com/rx3jlQ9wKB

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 15, 2019

“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,” Malinga said in the media release issued by his new employers.

“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.

Wishing the leading wicket-taker in IPL, Lasith Malinga a very happy birthday.

Here’s his sensational championship-winning final over from IPL 2019.

Link: https://t.co/6sAQKDmECo #Dream11IPL pic.twitter.com/HRdb2eNk2m

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) August 28, 2020

Malinga has played only for Mumbai Indians in the IPL and that’s why he enjoys a huge fan-following in the city of dreams. Speaking about his special memories with the record IPL champions, he said: “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.”

Unprecedented scenes from Hyderabad as @mipaltan became #VIVOIPL champs for the th time!

Lasith Malinga showing his true class in the last over #MIvCSK pic.twitter.com/ZzVK0KHx5O

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 12, 2019

Watching one of the modern-day greats joining their franchise gave the Rajasthan supporters immense joy but the MI fansbase was not very pleased with their former star switching camp and going to a rival camp.

Just Can't Digest; Being a Mumbai Fan Can't see Mali In some Other Jersey!! @mipaltan #MumbaiIndians None the Less Good Luck #Malinga and @rajasthanroyals For the Upcoming Season!!

— SIDDHESH JADHAV®️ (@Siddhes74106361) March 11, 2022

Can't see Malinga in a different jersey .
Literally was my second fav Mi player after Sachin from the beginning.
All the best for the new journey Mali! Forever #OneFamily pic.twitter.com/E93o42z5GZ

— NAMAN (@EashZen) March 11, 2022

Malinga should have been part of MI @mipaltan

— Raghvendra Singh Bhadauria (@thebhadauriaboy) March 11, 2022

Why not mumbai yrr

— Abhishek Rawat (@KrrishK43904676) March 11, 2022

Mumbai have better bowling coach Shane Bond who is one of the best fast bowler and Mali is very inexperienced as coach

— PHANINDRA DHFM (@phanindra673) March 11, 2022

no way wtf @mipaltan can't see mali in other camp

— akshay (@arreakshay) March 11, 2022

Last year, Rajasthan Royals had missed the services of several of their high-ticket foreign signings who had opted out of the tournament citing various reasons.

In the absence of key players like Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer and Jos Buttler (he missed the second leg), the Sanju Samson-led side struggled to get their combination right which resulted in them finishing second from bottom on the points table.

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With all the new signings, they would be hoping to change their fortunes and having legends like Malinga and Kumar Sangakkara in the dressing room would certainly help.

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