The Indian cricket team led by Rishabh Pant were the overwhelming favourites to clinch the five-match T20I series against South Africa and why not, they were on a 12-match winning streak with a new world record in their sights. But Team India went on to lose the first two games in Delhi and Cuttack and are now on the cusp of losing a series at home in a long time. Despite their back-to-back defeats, India made no changes in their squad for the third match at Visakhapatnam. Once again Pace sensation Umran Malik was left out from the playing XI, leaving his supporters disappointed. The legendary Sunil Gavaskar, however, made a big statement about the youngster, saying that the last time he was excited to see a cricketer was Sachin Tendulkar and now he's excited to see Umran Malik.

“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,” he said on Star Sports.

“I would look at bringing Umran Malik into the team. If you have the extra pace, yes because of the extra pace, you can go for runs because the ball will speed off the bat that much quicker. But he has got the capability of getting wickets. Wickets are the best dot-balls, especially in the white-ball format. Not too many other changes, because you don't want to upset the balance of the team,” Sunil Gavaskar said while arguing in favour of Umran Malik.

India's bowling has been the major concern for captain Rishabh Pant, a claim even Sunil Gavaskar supported. While senior fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar has given nothing away and has even picked up crucial wickets at the start of the opposition's innings, others have let the team down with their mediocre display.

Unfortunately, the spinners have taken most of the beating. Neither Yuzvendra Chahal nor Axar Patel has been successful in containing the Proteas batters. Instead, they have conceded a huge amount of runs in their overs. Wickets, on the other hand, have been hard to come by.

“The major problem is the fact that they don't have wicket-taking bowlers in this squad apart from Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yuzvendra Chahal. So, you take wickets and then you get the opposition under pressure. So, in both the matches, did anybody look like getting a wicket apart from Bhuvneshwar Kumar? He was getting the ball to move. That is the issue which is the reason why a total of 211 was something that they could not defend,” Sunil Gavaskar explained.

Umran Malik and Arshdeep Singh may have not gotten their opportunity in the first three matches of the ongoing series against South Africa, but Proteas great Graeme Smith said there were high chances the two would feature in the upcoming games.

“I think they have to be in the conversation at some point in the series,” Graeme Smith said.

“Why rest Bumrah if you are not going to get the answer? Arshdeep and Umran, you want to see them play at some point in the series. You are looking to pick you squad for the World Cup in October so I think they need an opportunity. They need a wicket-taking bowler and Umran Malik is a wicket-taker… we know that. Arshdeep has been great at the death. India need to know what they are capable of,” Graeme Smith added.

Sunil Gavaskar and Graeme Smith aren't the first cricketers to bat for Umran Malik's inclusion in Team India's playing XI. Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar has earlier raised his voice in support of the tearaway fast bowler making his debut for the national team.

“Everybody has a different outlook on the game. But I feel he deserves to play after showing that kind of speed and accuracy in the IPL. Also, when you are playing (international cricket) at home, that's the right time to test somebody like him,” Dilip Vengsarkar told Khaleej Times.

“He is one of the most exciting prospects I have seen in the last 10 years. I hope he does well because he looks very fit, and he has that aggression of a fast bowler. He has got pace and accuracy. I think he should be able to play for India for a long time,” Vengsarkar stated.

After not getting the chance to play in the three matches against South Africa, Umran Malik's hopes now hinge on the next game in Rajkot.