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Umran Malik is widely regarded as one of the most exciting fast bowling talents in India. The Srinagar-born tearaway bowler earned rave reviews for consistently hitting the 150 kph mark in the 15th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The 22-year-old pace sensation was impressive with the ball for the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in this season’s IPL, picking up 22 wickets at a remarkable average of 20.18 in 14 matches. Subsequently, Umran Malik was handed his maiden national call-up for the just-concluded series against South Africa. However, head coach Rahul Dravid didn't give him an opportunity in the five games against the Proteas. But the speedster was retained in India's squad for the upcoming T20Is against Ireland later this month. But whether he would get his chance in the two games in Dublin remains to be seen. Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar and ex-chairman of the national selection committee MSK Prasad feel that not picking Umran Malik in the playing XI could be head coach Rahul Dravid's strategy as the former National Cricket Academy (NCA) is known for giving a long rope to young players. At the moment, Rahul Dravid seems to be pretty happy with Avesh Khan's bowling performances and may not want to upset the apple cart.
“It’s not fair for me to comment since I’m not part of the team management. Not playing Umran immediately could be part of team strategy. You never know… May be they are waiting to unleash him at the right opportunity,” Dilip Vengsarkar told The Telegraph.
“There’s lot of talk, but who is playing in place of Umran? Avesh Khan… Someone who has played earlier for the country and done well. So Dravid has done the right thing by opting for continuity. Avesh has bowled well in all stages of the game. Even Harshal Patel has been in good form. So I don’t see anything wrong in holding him back,” MSK Prasad said in an interview with the same publication.
“Agreed, Umran has done well in the IPL. But he has to wait and his chance will come… Everyone should get a fair run and Dravid has been doing the right thing.”
In the past, the legendary Sunil Gavaskar compared Umran Malik's talent with the great Sachin Tendulkar and urged the Indian team management to hand him his debut cap as soon as possible.
Article Continues Below“The last time I got really excited at seeing an Indian player was Sachin Tendulkar. And after that I am excited to see Umran Malik. I do believe he should play, but again they might say that let us win the third one and get ourselves in a situation and then may be they can think about experimenting. It also depends on what the kind of surface they will get at Vizag,” Sunil Gavaskar said on Star Sports.
Meanwhile, Irfan Pathan, who has seen Umran Malik from close quarters, having captained him in the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team, made a plea to captain Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid to give the express pacer match-playing opportunities so that he could prove his worth on the international stage.
“He has not yet played; he has still not made his debut. First make him debut, see how he goes when he makes his debut. But if he makes his debut and god forbid if it does not go well, don’t leave him aside,” Irfan Pathan told Star Sports.
“We have never had a bowler who bowls at 150 kph; now we have got that, so take him for the long haul carefully. You have to see what is his longevity, how long his fitness is going to take him,” the ex-India all-rounder added.
“One thing he has got is raw pace, which you either have, or you don’t. You cannot teach anyone to bowl fast, whether it is Irfan Pathan or the world’s best mentor or coach, you can only make him better,” he said.
“You can do the fine-tuning; we have done that; the Indian team will make it even better. But if it is the question of the squad, get him to make his debut; if he does well, take him forward, and if he doesn’t do well, persist with him because you don’t get such a bowler every time,” Irfan Pathan pointed out.
On the other hand, Glenn McGrath called Umran Malik a “unique” pacer who could transform into a “very dangerous bowler” if he could have excellent control and consistency on his deliveries.
“Yeah, bowling express pace is something which is quite unique. And it is very special. If you can combine that extreme pace with control and consistency, then you become a very dangerous bowler. It is just about getting that experience, once you get to the top, you have to work even harder. As long as his work ethic is good and he looks to improve, who knows where he can go,” Glenn McGrath told NDTV.
“There is still time for him (Umran playing Tests). You have to get out there and do the business in first-class cricket as well. When you are bowling express pace, everyone gets excited and fair enough, but yeah, to be around the team, is pretty special. I have not spent any time with him, so I do not know what he is like as a character and how he goes about things,” the Australian bowling icon concluded.
