Umran Malik has come so far. From tennis ball cricket where he used to bowl in 140s (kmph) and did not have proper control over his line to outsmarting the likes of Aiden Markram, David Miller, Hardik Pandya with sheer pace.
Pace sensation Malik showed the world that he has started to realise his full potential. The Jammu & Kashmir speedster wrecked Gujarat Titans (GT) batting lineup with his maiden five-wicket haul in Indian Premier League (IPL) on April 27.
In an exclusive interview with Sports Tak after Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) clash against Punjab Kings (PBKS), Malik said he wants to get the wickets of former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper Virat Kohli and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) skipper KL Rahul the next time he is up against them.
“Wanted to get KL Rahul out. I tried that out in our last match (SRH vs LSG). Our next match is against RCB and I would aim to get Kohli bhai out. I am a big fan of both these players (KL Rahul and Virat Kohli). I can only give my hundred per cent, rest is in God’s hand,” the 22-year-old pacer said.
Malik talked about the impact of SRH fast-bowling coach Dale Steyn in the massive improvement. He revealed how the former world no.1 pacer has been helping him in the nets.
“I feel very good talking to him. He stands behind me (in the nets) when I bowl and gives me instructions which has been helping me,” Malik said about the South African legend.
Malik also talked about Steyn’s celebration when he got the wicket of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) skipper Shreyas Iyer with a pin-point yorker which has got him several wickets in the season.
“Before that delivery, Dale Steyn came to the ground during the time out. I said to him that he is going on back foot and I can bowl a yorker to him. He agreed and said that you can try this and the plan worked. I watched his (celebration) after the match and I felt proud that he was so happy with the wicket,” he said.
For Malik, speed comes naturally to him. Retained for Rs 4 crore in the auction, he has bowled the fastest ball for the eighth time in a row now. He also revealed the backing he has received from the SRH support staff that has helped him run in with confidence despite leaking runs in few games.
“The support staff told me that you ‘keep doing what you have been doing’. The runs are coming off edges which we can control a bit. In the past few games, I have been bowling well,” he said.
After impressing the selectors during his brief debut IPL stint, he was told to stay in UAE as a net bowler during the T20 World Cup 2021. He also travelled with the team on South Africa tour. With impressive performances, it is likely that Malik gets his maiden call-up for the five-T20I series when South Africa tour India next month.
