Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh wants to see young Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) pace express Umran Malik play for team India and partner current speedster Jasprit Bumrah at the T20 World Cup to be held in Australia later this year. 22-year-old Malik, who has 15 wickets for SRH in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 season, has consistently bowled over the 150 kmph mark, including the fastest delivery — 157 — in IPL 2022.
“He (Umran Malik) is my favourite, I want to see him in the Indian team because what a bowler he is,” Harbhajan told reporters on Friday. “And I don’t know whether he will be selected or not but if I was part of the selection committee, I would have given a go-ahead. Umran Malik should partner with Jasprit Bumrah when India plays in Australia (for T20 World Cup).
“Tell me one bowler who bowls more than 150 (kmph) and is not playing for the country. So, I think it is a great thing and he will inspire many youngsters to take up this game, where he has come from and what he is doing in IPL, he has been unbelievable,” he added.
He also believes that in the case of Umran, his young age should not rob him of such an opportunity, “When Sachin (Tendulkar) played for India, he was very young. Of course, he was Sachin Tendulkar, but that’s okay, ‘aise hi player bante hai’ (players are made like this).
“When I played my first Test, I was 17 and a half, but if you keep on thinking that he is a kid, then time will run out. When he is bowling at his best, he should be playing. Forget what his age is, when someone is performing well and is fit enough, they should walk in,” said Harbhajan.
“I am sure he (Umran) will also learn, he's a promising cricketer and I hope he gets selected and plays for India,” he added.
'Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma are champion, world-class players': Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan also backed the under-fire veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who have been subpar in IPL 2022. “Of course, they are champion players, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, they are champion, world-class players, I am hopeful that they will get back to form much before the (T20) World Cup.
“This (lean patch) is a part and parcel of the game, everyone goes through this and I am sure they will come out of it and they will become ever stronger and better players out of this (phase),” the 41-year-old added.
