Picture Credit: IPL
Umran Malik has been one of the huge positives for Indian cricket from IPL 2022. While India have always starved for express quick bowling options, Umran seems to be the end of India's long search. The right-arm speedster who is playing for the SunRisers Hyderabad has bowled 91 per cent of his deliveries above the 140 kmph mark. Moreover, he has breached the 150 kmph mark with ease and troubled world-class batters with his express pace. 4 of the 6 fastest balls bowled in IPL 2022 belong to Umran Malik.
While many including the former South Africa speed gun and his current bowling coach at the franchise Dale Steyn believes that he can play for India very soon, Umran Malik's father is happy with the fact that former India World Cup-winning captain and Chennai Super Kings legend MS Dhoni has told his son that he is the future of Indian cricket.
"Legend MS Dhoni has told Umran that he is the future of Indian cricket. When Umran called me to share this with me, he was extremely happy. He was elated after listening to those golden words from the legend," the Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler's dad was quoted.
In 8 innings this season, Malik has scalped 15 wickets at an average of 15.93 and an economy of 7.96. His maiden five-wicket haul came against Gujarat Titans where he produced figures of 5/25, rattling the stumps to dismiss 4 of his 5 victims. His bowl to Wriddhiman Saha, in particular, was a delight for cricket lovers as his 153 kmph yorker was too quick for the well-set Saha batting on 68 from 37 until that point.
With T20 World Cup and Asia Cup lined up later this year, it would be interesting to see if he is fast-tracked into the Indian side to find out if he can be the X-factor that can help the Men in Blue end their ICC trophy drought since 2013.