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India are currently 0-2 down in their five-match T20I series vs South Africa and will be hoping to return to winning ways when they face the Proteas in the third and potentially series-deciding fixture in Vishakhapatnam on Tuesday, June 14. India's bowling has come under the scanner after losses in the first two matches, and former India captain Sunil Gavaskar expects to see Umran Malik in action.
The speedster has been pushed into the limelight after a terrific Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 season with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), and was rewarded with a maiden call-up to the national team for the ongoing home series against South Africa. However, the youngster is yet to make an appearance in the starting XI.
Sharing his thoughts on the 22-year-old, Gavaskar said on Star Sports, “The last time I got really excited at seeing an Indian player was Sachin Tendulkar. And after that, I am excited to see Umran Malik. I do believe he should play, but again they might say that let us win the third one and get ourselves in a situation, and then maybe they can think about experimenting. It also depends on what kind of surface they will get at Vizag."
Among the Indian bowlers, only Bhuvneshwar Kumar has looked dangerous. He returned with figures of 4/13 but his compatriots in the bowling department, like Yuzvendra Chahal, Harshal Patel, and Axar Patel are yet to find their true form. “The major problem is the fact that they don't have wicket-taking bowlers in this squad apart from Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yuzvendra Chahal. So, you take wickets and then you get the opposition under pressure.
"So, in both the matches, did anybody look like getting a wicket apart from Bhuvneshwar Kumar? He was getting the ball to move. That is the issue which is the reason why a total of 211 was something that they could not defend,” he said on Star Sports after the match," he added.
Given India's bowling woes, Umran Malik and another debutant Arshdeep Singh will be expected to make their debut in a must-win match for India to stay alive in the series. Arshdeep is best-known for his death-over bowling and Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith feels India must try both the seamers in this series.
“I think they have to be in the conversation at some point in the series," said Smith, who was part of the same discussion. “Why rest Bumrah if you are not going to get the answer? Arshdeep and Umran, you want to see them play at some point in the series. You are looking to pick your squad for the World Cup in October so I think they need an opportunity. They need a wicket-taking bowler and Umran Malik is a wicket-taker... we know that. Arshdeep has been great at the death. India need to know what they are capable of.”
