Despite being one of the fastest bowlers in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, Umran Malik has not been able to win the trust of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) team management or the captain. The Jammu & Kashmir pacer was picked against Delhi Capitals (DC) in the home clash but did not get to bowl his full quota of four overs. Former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer questioned SRH team management over how they have handled Malik in the tournament so far.
"SRH are playing Umran Malik, but he bowled only two overs in the match against Delhi. Instead of him, they could have played a batter. If you don't trust him as a bowler, it's better to bring in a batsman to the team," Jaffer told ESPNCricinfo.
Malik has bowled his full quota of four overs only once in the season so far. Also, he was dropped by SRH in their clash against Mumbai Indians (MI) last week.
Jaffer was unhappy with SRH bowlers as they let DC recover from 62/5 and post a fighting total of 144/9 on the board which turned out to be enough to beat SRH by seven runs.
"Delhi were 62/5 at one point, but Hyderabad allowed them to reach 144. If they had bowled better, things could have been easier for them. Letting Delhi make 144 was a mistake by SRH," the 45-year-old said.
Jaffer suggested some changes in the batting order as well. He feels Harry Brook should bat in the middle order whereas Abhishek Sharma deserves a longer run in the top-order.
"Looking at their batting order, I feel Abhishek Sharma is a better option as an opener. Most of his runs for SRH have come as an opener. He is batting out of position [in the middle-order]. Harry Brook could bat at four or five. That will strengthen their lower-order batting."
"With the likes of Aiden Markram, Brook and Heinrich Klaasen, their batting in the middle and death overs will become strong. They will need to improve their batting combination and their batting order," said Jaffer.
SRH are currently placed ninth on the points table with five losses from seven games. They will take on DC in their next encounter at Arun Jaitley Stadium on April 29.
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