India's new pace sensation Umran Malik rose to fame after his exceptional show with the ball in the Indian Premier League 2022. For the Sunrisers Hyderabad, Umran snared 22 wickets from just 14 matches. His tearway pace earned him a spot in the Indian team as he was then awarded with a debut India call-up for the T20I series against Ireland. The Jammu Express was bowling in excess of 150kmph day in and out, and that was something which caught everyone’s attention.
But the young gun failed to leave a mark and was thus was snubbed from the India's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia.
Meanwhile, Australia legendary pacer Brett Lee believes that the tearaway pace should have been featured in Team India's squad for the marquee tournament which is slated to start from October 16.
"Umran Malik is bowling at 150 km per hour. I mean, when you have the best car in the world and you leave it in the garage, then what’s the point of having that car? Umran Malik should have been picked in the Indian squad for the World Cup," Lee told Khaleej Times.
The veteran Australian pacer said that the batters struggle to face 140kph in Aussie conditions and then there is Umran, who can clock 150kph but will not be playing in the World Cup.
"Yes, he is young, yes, he is raw, but he bowls at 150 kmph, so get him in the team, get him to Australia, where the ball flies through. It’s different when you have a guy bowling at 140 kmph and a guy who is bowling at 150 kmph," he further added.
Lee also discussed how Jasprit Bumrah’s absence is going to affect the Indian team at the mega event and said that the pressure will now be on Bhuvneshwar Kumar to get the job done.
"The fact is that Jasprit Bumrah suffered a back injury. It's a huge blow to India’s chances (at the World Cup). I am not saying they can’t do it. They are a wonderful side, but a strong Indian side is the side that has Jasprit Bumrah. That would put pressure on guys like Bhuvneshwar Kumar," Lee added.
India is yet to announce Bumrah's replacement as Mohammed Shami is among the frontrunners for the spot.
Rohit Sharma & Co. will kick off their T20 World Cup campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on October 23.
India's squad: Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Dinesh Karthik (wicket-keeper), Hardik Pandya, R. Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh.
