Aakash Chopra, the former Indian cricketer who’s now a commentator, has been pondering the reasons behind the surprising absence of Umran Malik from the Indian team.
Umran Malik left an indelible mark in both the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy, showcasing his prowess in taking wickets and leaving a lasting impression with his express pace. His consistent performances paved the way for a spot in the Sunrisers Hyderabad squad for the IPL, where he finds himself in the company of some of the finest T20 cricketers globally.
Being a part of the Sunrisers, Malik has the golden opportunity to glean wisdom from seasoned players and international stars, honing his skills and gaining exposure on the grand stage of T20 cricket. Umran Malik’s journey in the IPL mirrors the league’s dedication to fostering young talents and providing them with a platform to shine on the global cricketing landscape.
However, Malik’s recent stint with the Indian cricket team during the West Indies tour ended on a disheartening note, drawing criticism for his lackluster performance. Muttiah Muralitharan, the bowling coach for SunRisers Hyderabad, voiced his concerns, emphasizing that Malik needs to focus on more than just generating raw pace to evolve into a proficient bowler.
The young fast bowler soared to prominence in the 2022 Indian Premier League, boasting an impressive tally of 22 wickets and a remarkable 13.41 strike rate. His formidable speed and powerful deliveries struck fear into the hearts of opposition batters. However, the narrative took a downturn in the 2023 season as Malik struggled to replicate his earlier success. In just eight games, he managed to secure only five wickets, accompanied by a concerning 10.85 economy rate. This dip in form has sparked calls for the promising bowler to refine his skills beyond sheer speed to reclaim his position as a formidable force in the cricketing arena.
Umran Malik has been conspicuously absent from the Indian cricket scene since then. Aakash Chopra, expressing a mix of concern and curiosity, has been pondering over the sudden disappearance of the talented fast bowler. Chopra is puzzled by the intriguing turn of events in Malik’s career: first making it to the Indian team, getting limited playing opportunities, and then seemingly fading away from the cricketing radar. Chopra is keen on unraveling the mystery behind Malik’s absence, stressing the importance of clarity regarding the reasons behind his exclusion from both the national team and India A.
“Till some time back, Umran Malik was everywhere. We took him to the West Indies as well and it seemed like he could be in the World Cup team too but now he is not there in any of the teams. He doesn’t even get selected for India A,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
“What happened within three months that a guy first gets selected for the Indian team, gets very minimum chances there, and then goes totally missing? We don’t even know where Umran Malik is. Why isn’t he there? We should know why this is happening,” he further added.
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