Veteran Sri Lanka paceman Lasith Malinga has pulled out of the Indian Premier League "to be with his family", his team said on Wednesday, adding to growing list of players abandoning the coronavirus-hit Twenty20 tournament.
Malinga has asked to be let go for personal reasons the Mumbai Indians said, while also announcing he would be replaced by Australian quick James Pattinson.
"James Pattinson will join MI Family currently based in Abu Dhabi this weekend," current champions Mumbai said in a statement.
The much-delayed IPL has been moved to the United Arab Emirates because of the spread of the coronavirus in India and is scheduled to start on September 19.
"There is no denying the fact that we will miss Lasith's cricketing acumen this season," Mumbai team owner Akash Ambani said.
"However, we fully understand Lasith's need to be in Sri Lanka with his family during this time."
The 37-year-old has been with the Mumbai team -- record four-time IPL winners -- since the inaugural edition in 2008.
Other players who have opted out of the tournament include England's Jason Roy, of the Delhi Capitals, and Suresh Raina, who quit the Chennai Super Kings after two players tested positive for coronavirus despite teams being kept in strict "bio-bubbles".
Eleven other support staff and officials from the Chennai team also tested positive for Covid-19 antibodies.
Raina said he did not want to take any chances.
"I have a family with two little kids and elderly parents," Raina told Indian magazine Outlook.
"For me returning to the family was more important."
Australian Kane Richardson, who was due to play for the Royals Challengers Bangalore, has also pulled out to attend the birth of his first child.
The IPL has not yet released a fixture list for the league, which runs through to November 10.
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Justin Bieber under fire after commenting on Ariana Greenblatt’s Instagram post
Justin Bieber faces backlash for ‘I love you’ comment on 17-year-old star Ariana Greenblatt’s post
A few simple words from Justin Bieber have triggered a heated debate online. The 30-year-old singer commented “I love youuuuuuuuu” on a photo shared by 17-year-old actress Ariana Greenblatt, leading to immediate backlash from many social media users.
Ariana had posted a photo promoting her new Netflix horror film Fear Street: Prom Queen, dressed in a dark, gothic look. The caption celebrated her excitement about the genre and her character, Christy Renault. The post quickly gained traction, not just for the film but for Bieber’s unexpected comment.
People online were quick to call out the singer. Many felt it crossed a line, pointing to Greenblatt’s age and Bieber’s status as a married adult. Some even went as far as calling for legal action, saying the comment was inappropriate for a minor.
“He’s married. She’s 17. What’s he doing?” one user asked. Others demanded he “back off,” calling it “weird” and “creepy.” A few voices tried to downplay the situation, saying it was just a harmless comment and arguing that fans were overreacting. “He’s just being supportive,” one user defended. “People are too quick to judge.”
Ariana Greenblatt, despite her age, is no stranger to fame. She began her career on Disney Channel’s Stuck in the Middle and has since made waves in big films like Avengers: Infinity War and Barbie. She’s already earned award nominations and built a solid following of over 3.8 million on Instagram.
The post in question had nothing to do with Bieber. It was a promotional piece for her film, but his comment shifted the focus. Neither Ariana nor Bieber has spoken publicly about the controversy yet.
This incident has once again opened up a broader conversation regarding how public figures should engage with younger stars on social media. At what point does a message of support become uncomfortable?
Whether the comment was meant as friendly encouragement or not, the reaction online shows how carefully watched celebrity interactions have become, especially when minors are involved. In a world where one comment can spark national debate, public figures need to remember that every word counts.