Ravi Shastri, the former India head coach, praised young Sunrisers Hyderabad bowler Umran Malik, describing him as a future India star. Malik concluded with 2 for 39 in the team’s first match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 against Rajasthan Royals.
In the three matches he played in the last IPL, the right-arm seamer from Jammu and Kashmir turned eyebrows by consistently registering speeds of 150 km/h. When he traveled with the Indian team as a net bowler and acquired experience, his interest in him grew even more.
To add to the intrigue, Malik was one of three cricketers retained by SRH ahead of the mega auction this year, alongside Kane Williamson and Abdul Samad.
Ravi Shastri Predicts Uncapped Umran Malik To Play For Team India Soon
Umran Malik, an uncapped bowler, was retained by the Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise for Rs 4 crore ahead of the mega auction in Bengaluru. During the team’s first IPL game against Rajasthan Royals, the youngster showed his worth.
In the match against RR, Umran Malik was one of the bowlers who gave it his all. Despite conceding 39 runs, the right-arm fast bowler did his team proud by claiming two crucial wickets.
Jos Buttler and Devdutt Padikkal were among those dismissed by him. Jos Buttler, an England international, proved to be a dangerous player, scoring runs at will.
The right-handed batsman was on his way to a fifty-run score. Umran Malik, on the other hand, got rid of the RR opener for 35 runs. Later in the game, he dismissed Padikkal for his second wicket.
With the bat, Padikkal appeared to be a threat. The southpaw ripped the attack apart, scoring 41 runs off only 29 balls. Before falling prey to Umran Malik, he hit four fours and two sixes.
Meanwhile, Ravi Shastri, who was Team India’s head coach at the time Malik traveled with the Indian team, believes Malik may be an India possibility provided he is managed with care and communicated effectively.
“I like his attitude. This kid can only learn. He didn’t have his share of luck when an outside edge went over the slips. But I think this guy is the talent. He’s got pace. If he hits the right areas, he’s gonna trouble a lot of batters. It’s about handling him properly, the messages that you give him while speaking to him. There’s no doubting his potential. This guy is an India player,” Shastri said.
“He has to be around the National Cricket Academy then the ‘A’ team. The selectors have to keep a close watch on him and keep him in the mix as much as they can. With this Covid thing still persisting, you need net bowlers and/or an extending party to travel with the team, I would keep him there,” Shastri added.
