Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) pacer Umran Malik’s impressive performances in the IPL 2022 season has put him on the selectors’ radar ahead of India’s white-ball series against South Africa, according to reports.
Following the completion of IPL 2022, India will play against the Proteas at home as part of the preparation for the T20 World Cup in Australia this October. Malik may well be given a chance in the series if he continues his stellar performances in the league.
“How often do you get a bowler in India bowling at 150kph+ consistently? He is a rare talent and is definitely on our radar. Of course, his name is being considered for India so that he can be groomed,” a member of the selection committee told InsideSport.
“This guy is a Test bowler, no one likes to face this pace” – Kevin Pietersen on Umran Malik
Malik almost single-handedly dragged his side, SRH, over the line against table-toppers, Gujarat Titans (GT) in their game on Wednesday. The pacer had figures of 5/25 in four overs while the rest of the SRH bowling attack failed to take a single wicket.
“Just have a look at some of the great sides, some of the great Australian sides that we’ve played against, [they had] the Brett Lees, the Mitchell Johnsons. This guy is a Test bowler, no one likes to face this pace.”
“Look at those figures, 5-25, the best figures in this year’s IPL. You can bowl him for an over, bowl him for two overs, bowl him for three overs. Let him run in, bowl around him. Build your fast-bowling around him,” Pietersen stated.
As of now, Malik stands in third place in the race for the Purple Cap with 15 wickets in 8 matches at an excellent average of 15.93. The spin-duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav leads the way with 18 and 17 wickets respectively in 8 matches each.
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