Umran Malik has been one of the biggest finds of the Indian T20 League 2022. He has impressed everyone with his ability to bowl quick delivers with consistency. Many experts of the game have admired what he has been able to produce.
India has always been in need of express fast bowling alternatives and Umran appears to be a great addition to the set up. The right-arm fast bowler for the Hyderabad has bowled 91% of his deliveries at or over 140 kmph. Furthermore, he has easily surpassed the 150 kmph mark and has challenged world-class batters with his lightning-fast speed. Umran Malik has four of the top six fastest balls bowled this season.
And now, Umran Malik’s father has revealed that MS Dhoni sees Umran as the future of Indian cricket. “Legend MS Dhoni has told Umran that he is the future of Indian cricket. When Umran called me to share this with me, he was extremely happy. He was elated after listening to those golden words from the legend,” Sports Tiger quoted him saying.
Malik has 15 wickets at an average of 15.93 and an economy of 7.96 in eight innings this season. He took 5/25 in Hyderabad’s last game against Gujarat. Four of these wickets were clean bowled. There have been reports of selectors eyeing the 22-year old for the upcoming bilateral T20 series against South Africa. With the T20 World Cup and Asia cup lined up this year, it will be interesting to see if he gets to play for the national team. Dale Steyn, his current bowling coach in the Hyderabad team and a former South African speedster, feels Malik can play for India very soon.
Meanwhile, Umran’s outstanding show has helped Hyderabad big way. The orange army has played eight games in the season and won five of them. They currently stand third in the points table. They play their next game against Chennai on the 1st of April.
