IPL 2022: I’m Sure Umran Malik Will Play For India Soon - Dale Steyn

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) bowling coach Dale Steyn said pace bowler Umran Malik will play for the Indian national team soon. Malik’s journey to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) started as a net bowler in IPL 2021, thanks to his close friend Abdul Samad, who was already with the team for more than one season.

Malik got his unexpected opportunity to wear the orange colours in IPL when left-arm pacer T Natarajan tested positive for COVID-19 in the second phase of IPL 2021. The Jammu and Kashmir pace bowler played just three games last season but that was enough for the prodigious talent to make his case.

Umran Malik’s relationship with his bowling speed

He clocked 152.95 kph deliver against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), the fastest delivery of IPL 2021. Bowling above 150 has been regular for Malik like he did in the recent encounter against Gujarat Titans.

He bettered his IPL 2021 record as he bowled at 153.3 kph with the other four fastest balls in that game were also bowled by the J & K pacer, his speeds read – 151.2, 150.1, 149.9, 149.3.

Malik has been consistent with his searing pace and that creates a terror in the batter’s mind. In his first ball of the spell against Gujarat Titans, Malik almost knocked Hardik Pandya with a brute bouncer that clonked the helmet of the skipper. Malik castled KKR skipper Shreyas Iyer with a toe-crushing yorker.

Umran Malik makes the batters think and play differently: Dale Steyn

The 22-year-old has admitted his dream to play for the Men in Blues and Steyn believes the youngster deserves to be with the senior team. The former South African speedster spoke on the progress of the talented player from Jammu & Kashmir.

“I’m sure he’ll play for India soon. How he’ll be managed will be entirely up to Indian cricket. I think they should bring him to the senior team as soon as possible because what he offers is brilliant.

“He makes the batters think and play differently. For now, I just want to see him progress. I’ve seen him progress with each game and get better and better,” Steyn told Sportskeeda. 

“Right now we’re all excited about Umran’s talent and what he has shown. Everyone is on the edge of their seats when he bowls. It’s exciting not just for Indian cricket, but also for world cricket. Very rarely do you get guys like that who bowl so fast and that too consistently,” he added.

SRH will take on Faf du Plessis-led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Saturday (April 23) at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai.

Also Read: IPL 2022: “He Will Soon Play For India”: Rashid Latif On Umran Malik