Twitter Reactions: Lasith Malinga retires from ODI cricket with 'win' on and off the field

Sri Lankan speedster Lasith Malinga, who has been nothing short of a legend to the game of cricket has finally hung his boots as he bows out of One-Day International career. He leaves the cricket arena by helping his team defeat Bangladesh in the first of the three-match ODI series in Colombo.

Malinga, who recently became the highest wicket-taker for Lankans in the World Cup, had announced his retirement a few days after the quadrennial tournament and wanted to play in front of the home crowd for one last time.

The right-handed fast bowler had made a splash in international cricket in 2004 and immediately come into attention thanks to his unique slingy side-on action. His ability to bowl yorkers at high speed soon endeared him to fans all over the world. However, he couldn’t sustain his speed and fitness in the longest format and had to call time on his Test career in 2010 to prolong his white-ball sojourn.

The cricket fraternity around the globe wished him well on what has been an illustrious career. With this, News Nation brings to you the best tweets you will find on internet today:

Congratulation to Lasith Malinga on a fantastic ODI career. He has single handedly won many games for Sri Lanka. All the best for the T20Is in future

— Rangana Herath (@HerathRSL) July 26, 2019

Classic Mali spell 🎯 Thank you for everything you've done for cricket. Always admired you and will always continue to do so 🤗.

— Jasprit Bumrah (@Jaspritbumrah93) July 26, 2019

If I had to pick one match winner among many others for @mipaltan in the last decade, this man will be on the top for sure. As a captain he give me breather during tense situation and he never failed to deliver, such was his presence within the team. Best wishes LM for the future pic.twitter.com/gJJJKy8gL3

— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) July 26, 2019

Wat a Final spell!
Wat a legendary career from a legendary player, a true gentleman & have been a great inspiration for many | lucky enough to play together! 👏👏 #SLvBAN

Wat a Final spell!
Wat a legendary career from a legendary player, a true gentleman & have been a great inspiration for many | lucky enough to play together! 👏👏 #SLvBAN #ThankYouMalinga @Lasith99Malinga
PS - Gud luck for the T20s

— Danushka Gunathilaka (@danushka_70) July 26, 2019

Congratulations on a wonderful One Day career, #Malinga.
Wishing you all the very best for the future. pic.twitter.com/RLeKIudyWl

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) July 26, 2019

Been a good, good spell👌A top legend, champion, and a sportsman par excellence - wishing you continued success, my friend. All the best :) #ThankYouMalinga pic.twitter.com/dkAc4Nt25t

— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) July 26, 2019

Only Bowler to take 2 WC Hatricks, total 3 ODI hatricks, & a man who made so many aspirations and beliefs come true in young cricketers, that one can succeed & like how, even with an unconventional bowling action. One of the all time greats & a great ambassador, #ThankYouMalinga pic.twitter.com/5GAByLTqFv

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) July 26, 2019

Fortunate to share the dressing room with you. I know how good planner, motivator and human being you are. Indeed, you are a great performer. Your fighting spirit is inspiring to all. ODI cricket will miss you & you will be remembered always. Good bye legend. #ThankYouMalinga pic.twitter.com/hX5cr69BbK

— Mustafizur Rahman (@Mustafiz90) July 26, 2019

Wat a Career he had in d international level. He has carried Srilankan cricket on his shoulders for so many years by his sheer performances. He has a heart of a lion 🦁 Congratulations on a great Career #LasithMalinga Best wishes for ur future 👍👏 God bless u always pic.twitter.com/7O8W8cXKbD

— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) July 26, 2019

Congratulations on the glorious journey Yorker King #Malinga. There will never be another toe crusher like you again. Best wishes for your future endeavours. 👊#LasithMalinga pic.twitter.com/Uf0iD3SHdL

— yuvraj singh (@YUVSTRONG12) July 26, 2019

The ideal farewell for #LasithMalinga, big contributor of the game and many youngsters at various levels have learnt a lot from him. Well bowled Champion 👏💥

— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) July 27, 2019

HIGHLIGHTS

• Lasith Malinga claimed 3/38 in his last ODI game against Bangladesh. 
• Malinga finished his illustrious ODI career with 338 wickets. 
• Lasith Malinga will continue to play T20 cricket for Sri Lanka.