Malinga’s philosophy is on his bowling arm

Injuries had kept Lasith Malinga out of the Sri Lankan Test squad for over two and a half years. But he's now back in the scheme of things for the Test series against India. He tells Nihal Koshie from the Indian Express why he will not compromise on his pace and reveals the stories behind his tattoos.

"Injuries come and go, but I have to stick to what has got me wickets. I am a wicket-taking bowler and I can’t compromise on pace."

‘1-7-2004’ is an important date, the day he made his Test debut against Australia in Darwin. Also inscribed is ‘28-3-2007’, the day he took four wickets in four balls against South Africa at the Providence Stadium in Guyana during a World Cup match.