IPL 2022: Kevin Pietersen Wants Umran Malik To Make His India Test Debut Against England
Published - 30 Apr 2022, 02:59 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:06 AM
Kevin Pietersen, the former England captain, wants Umran Malik to be moved into the Indian Test team ahead of the England tour further this year. With each passing day, more people are calling for Umran Malik to be included on the Indian side.
Malik should be fast-tracked into the Indian Test team for the next England tour, according to the former right-handed batsman.
Kevin Pietersen said, “I believe so [in terms of Umran’s performance].” He’s the character I’m portraying. Pietersen said on Star Sports following Malik’s first five-wicket haul in the IPL against the Gujarat Titans, “I’m planning to call that Test match, and the best is participating.”
‘This guy is a Test bowler, no one likes to face this pace’: Kevin Pietersen
Malik, who often registers 150 km/h in the IPL, returned with a 5-for-25 performance. With a yorker that reached 153 km/h, he dismissed Wriddhiman Saha.
During the match, Kevin Pietersen stated that Malik should be “thrown in at the deep end early in his career.”
“Throw him in the deep end,” says Pietersen. Now is the time to bring him in. You can tell he enjoys it. This is a massive, top-of-the-table showdown. He’s picking up huge wickets and getting them out quickly. Look at these yorkers he’s bowling; he’s in command.
“Just look at some of the best sides, some of the great Australian sides that we’ve played against; they had Brett Lees and Mitchell Johnsons.” No one loves to face this [pace] since he’s a Test bowler.
“Take a look at those numbers, 5-25, the best in this year’s IPL.” You have the option of bowling 1 over, two overs, or three overs at him. Allow him to enter freely and bowl around him. Pietersen continued, “Build your fast-bowling around him.”
India may visit England for three One-Day Internationals (ODIs), as well as several T20Is and one Test match, which will become the fifth Test match of the previous series. Due to Covid-19’s fears about leading the series 2-1, the last Cricket match was canceled.
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