After a stellar IPL season, fast bowler Umran Malik made his international debut against Ireland. Malik was part of the Indian team for the T20I series against England, but he faced some criticism for his bowling.
The 22-year-old pacer had a disappointing performance against England in the third T20I. the former India Cricketer Aakash Chopra said that while Malik has certainly gained momentum, he is not yet fully prepared to play for India.
“Umran Malik has something that others do not have – extreme speed. You can’t teach it to anyone. You can teach everything else – line and length, yorkers, bouncers, slowers. But you can’t teach someone to bowl fast. You are either born a fast bowler or born a medium pace bowler,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
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Chopra feels that the Jammu and Kashmir-born fast bowler still needs some time to make a place in international cricket. “No doubt, he has the pace. But I think Umran Malik is not ready for international cricket yet. It’s too easy, he needs time. He hasn’t played much cricket and so he’s still raw. ,” said the former Indian cricketer.
Malik’s international career hasn’t started off with a bang as he has managed to pick up two wickets in three matches so far. He didn’t get a chance to make his debut, earning his first India call-up for the five-match T20I series against South Africa.
Umran Malik, who is known for his raw pace and lightning fast delivery, failed to do anything significant in the third T20I against England. He conceded 56 runs in four overs. Malik took the crucial wicket of England opener Jason Roy but he could hardly justify his poor bowling. England eventually posted a mammoth total of 215/7 in the game. In reply, India could score only 198 runs for the loss of nine wickets.
Malik spent a tremendous amount of time in the 15th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Overall, he took 22 wickets playing 14 matches. He became the fourth highest wicket-taker in IPL 2022.
In the international circuit, he made his debut against Ireland in the first T20I of the series. In the second match of the series, he took one wicket for 42 runs in four overs.
The Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler has taken just two wickets in three matches at an average of 56 and an economy rate of 12.44.
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