IND vs BAN: "Important To Groom Him By Giving Him The Chance To Rub Shoulders With Senior Members Of The Team" - Rajkumar Sharma on Umran Malik

Rajkumar Sharma, Virat Kohli’s childhood coach, says India made the right option in replacing the injured Mohammed Shami in the ODI series against Bangladesh. 

Sharma told India News Sports that Umran Malik will improve as a bowler by playing more matches under the supervision of older players. 

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Umran Malik The Only Fast Bowler In India To Bowl 150kmph: Rajkumar Sharma

He also stated that bowling on Bangladeshi surfaces, which provide little support to seamers, will help the speedy learn a lot about his game. 

Sharma explained: “Umran Malik is the only fast bowler India have who can bowl at 150 kph. It is very important to groom him by giving him the chance to rub shoulders with senior members of the team. 

“Senior players will guide him during the game. It will be a great learning experience for Umran, given that it won’t be easy for a fast bowler on these wickets.” 

Umran was a member of the Men in the Blue squad for the just-finished One-Day International series against New Zealand. Many were impressed by the right-arm pacer’s explosive spells. He was the most successful Indian bowler in the 50-over leg of the tour, taking three wickets in three innings. 

Umran Malik Could Become A Mainstay In The Indian Team: Saba Karim

During the conversation, former Indian keeper-batter Saba Karim stressed that Umran has the ability to solidify his spot in the ODI team by performing well against Bangladesh. 

He believes the 23-year-old did well in New Zealand and will be able to carve a niche for himself with similar performances in the upcoming games. Karim added: 

“Umran Malik could become a mainstay in the Indian team if he continues to bowl the way he did in New Zealand. You need pacers who have express pace, and we have very few options to choose from as a lot of our speedsters are currently injured.” 

Umran was not initially named to India’s ODI team for the Bangladesh visit. Shami was ruled out with a shoulder injury, so the bright kid was brought in. 

The Rohit Sharma-led team will face the hosts in the first ODI of the series on Sunday, December 4 at the Shere-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. 

Also Read: IND vs BAN: India Need To Stick With 12-13 Players Going Into The World Cup: Wasim Jaffer