Pace sensation Umran Malik finally received his national cap on Sunday after he was named in Team India's playing XI for the first T20I against Ireland in Dublin. The Jammu-based express fast bowler was handed his debut cap by India veteran and vice-captain Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Nonetheless, it was a proud moment for Umran Malik, considering he wasn't able to break into the startling line-up against South Africa at home. The 22-year-old was impressive with the ball for the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in this season’s Indian Premier League, picking up 22 wickets at a remarkable average of 20.18 in 14 matches. Umran Malik's ability to consistently hit 150 kph and grab wickets was lauded by many cricket greats, including legends like Sunil Gavaskar, Glenn McGrath, and Brett Lee. Even the fans were celebrating Umran Malik's debut on social media with several Indian supporters posting pictures of him receiving his cap from Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

The lightning-quick fast bowler has often been compared with Pakistan legends Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar for his ability to produce pace off the pitch.

While Australian great Brett Lee has compared Umran Malik to Waqar Younis who was known for rattling opposition batters with reverse swing, Shoaib Akhtar has backed him to break his record of bowling the fastest ball in cricket.

“I am a big fan. I think Umran Malik has got a lot of pace to burn. He is a competitor, a top guy, who runs in like a lot of fast bowlers in the past. Waqar Younis is the person who comes to mind,” Brett Lee said in a conversation with the Indian news agency ANI.

On the other hand, Australia legend Glenn McGrath claimed that Umran Malik was a “unique” bowler who could become very “dangerous” if he has good control and consistency in his bowling.

“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.”

“I was lucky enough as I played just 6 games for New South Wales before getting a chance in a Test match. It comes down to attitude, if you are bowling at that pace, you need to look after yourself and you need to be fit. You need to be strong so that you can bowl day in and day out, yeah a lot of it is going to depend on him, his work ethic, and how he goes about things. If he can adapt to playing at the higher level and enjoy it, then yeah, looks like he can have a big career. But as long as they are managed properly and not raised to the top, I am sure he will do fine,” he added.

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Interestingly, ex-India captain, Dilip Vengsarkar had predicted that Umran Malik would make his debut against Ireland.

“I hope so because he (Umran) is a very exciting talent. He did well in the IPL and he deserves a chance as he looked the best bowler in the format. I hope he is in the plane and I am sure he will do well if given an opportunity,” Dilip Vengsarkar said on Saturday.

“He (Umran) is young and raring to go. You must give an opportunity to someone who is in form. He is young, keen to play and hungry for success,” the former national chairman of selectors added.

Dilip Vengsarkar's former India teammate Roger Binny voiced his support for Umran Malik's inclusion in India's playing XI not just in the T20 format but in the Test and ODI sides as well.

“There is definitely going to be a bigger bunch of fast bowlers coming through now. And he (Umran) should be given a chance straightaway because he has proved that he is quick and if you saw him bowl some of the yorkers in the IPL that was brute force. So you cannot keep a youngster out for that long,” Roger Binny said.

“Well, I am not surprised that somebody, who is coming to the scene (and bowling over 150 kph), because we have a lot of people (bowling) around the 140-142 area for the last six-seven years and especially in the IPL. I am not surprised (by the sheer pace of Umran),” Roger Binny asserted.