The young speedster from Jammu & Kashmir, Umran Malik, became an overnight sensation when he made his Indian Premier League (IPL) debut fur Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the 2021 edition. He clocked over 150 kmph and regularly bowled in high 140s. As a result, he got fastracked into the Indian setup and made his T20I debut in June 2022. But within a year, he fell out of radar and wasn’t a regular in SRH’s playing XI in IPL 2024 so far. India’s outgoing bowling coach Paras Mhambrey has explained that even though express pace is not common, Malik's struggle for control is why he is not in the team anymore.
“I think one has to build talent. Someone having express pace is a rare commodity and you see potential in him. When he burst onto the scene bowling 145-148 (kmph) — I’m not someone who get carried away with the speed gun showing 160kpmh because I don’t think it is real – you realise pace was his strength. He was definitely quick and was hitting the high 140kmphs regularly. To bowl consistently at that pace is good and he has done that. But how does he do that? In T20s, if you are not having control, you will struggle. Once you do that, you will lose the faith of the captain,” Mhambrey told Indian Express.
Ranji Trophy is the key for Umran
Mhambrey explained why there is a need for Malik to play Ranji Trophy. He wants the 24-year-old to handle the pressure well and gain control.
“So one has to gain control and that will happen only if he plays Ranji Trophy. That is why we are pushing him to play Ranji Trophy because when he goes through a season, even under pressure, he will be able to execute his skillset,” he added.
Umran’s numbers in international cricket
The young pacer has made 10 ODI and eight T20I appearances. While he has managed to take 13 ODI and 11 T20I wickets, his economy rate is under the scanner. He has an economy rate of 6.54 runs per over in the 50-over format and 10.48 in the shortest format of the game. In the last ODI he played, he conceded 27 runs from three overs. It will be interesting to see if he makes it to one of the squads for upcoming Duleep Trophy 2024.
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