The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 season will play a major role in convincing the BCCI selectors for the squad for the T20 World Cup slated to be held in Australia this year. This season, many fringe players have been making their case, and former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh has backed uncapped Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) pacer Umran Malik to perform for Indian at the big tournament later this year.
Speaking to Star Sports after Punjab's innings, Harbhajan opined that Umran should get the India jersey soon and is the “most deserving one” to be part of the T20 World Cup team.
“This (Blue) is the only jersey missing and he should get it early. I feel he is the most deserving one who should be selected to play for India in that T20 World Cup in Australia. He could be you match-winner there,” the 41-year-old said.
The performances of Umran have left Harbhajan impressed. The pacer from Jammu & Kashmir bowled a sensational last over against Punjab Kings (PBKS) on Sunday (April 18) in Mumbai to bag the Player of the Match award.
Umran bowled a triple-wicket maiden in the final over of the first innings to restrict Punjab to just 151. He became only the third bowler after Lasith Malinga and Jaydev Unadkat to bowl a wicket maiden in the 20th over of a game and only the second after the Sri Lanka great to do so in the first innings of a game.
Umran, who made his IPL debut last season for SRH, has already picked nine wickets this season at a strike rate of 14.66.
The youngster's pace has been the talk of the town. South Africa legend Dale Steyn, is also the SRH bowling coach. Earlier last week, Umran had earned immense accolades after his clever set-up for Kolkata Knight Riders captain (KKR) Shreyas Iyer with a perfect yorker.
"The genius is in the players, guys. They have to do what they have to do, and when they have to do it I just jumped into Murali! I was like, 'you are a spin bowling coach and now you are making these amazing calls," the 38-year-old Steyn had said after the match.
