IND vs SL: "We Will Give Him Enough Support From Our Side That He Can Flourish" - Hardik Pandya On Umran Malik

India will take on Sri Lanka in the first T20I of the three-match series at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Tuesday, January 3. Squad stand-in captain Hardik Pandya stated that the team management will provide enough opportunity and support to the pace bowler Umran Malik to develop his game.

Pace bowling sensation Umran Malik made his debut in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and had a breakthrough in the next season. The right-arm pacer was fast-tracked into the Indian T20I setup and hasn’t started on a high note. He represented India in three games, taking two wickets at an economy rate of 12.44.

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We Will Give Him Enough Opportunities – Hardik Pandya

The promising Jammu and Kashmir pacer has been included in the squad for the series against Sri Lanka. Ahead of the first T20 against Sri Lanka, Pandya said that the team management will give Malik enough opportunity and support to grow in the team. Indian captain stated that he will advise his bowlers to bowl in good areas.

“Obviously, he has pace. Everyone knows how exciting a prospect he is. We will give him enough opportunities. We will give him enough backing. We will give him enough support from our side that he can flourish,” said Pandya.

“Just bowl good balls. That is how I am going to manage. Ask my bowlers to bowl the best balls possible. And I think playing at international level, they’re good enough to bowl it there,” he added.

All The Players Have That Support My Side – Hardik Pandya

Pandya said that he and the team management will back the players and try to make them believe that they are the best in the business.

“What we have noticed and what we have told the boys is that, just go out there and express, which they will do. It’s up to us how we back them. What we have said is that we are going to back you to the core. All the players have that support my side. I’m going to back them to the core. Who are here are the best cricketers in the country. That’s the reason why they’re here.”

“So I have to make them believe that, which is the fact as well. For me, it is important that how I can make them feel that they’re the best of their business. If I can get that thing done, I can get that confidence in them, then I don’t think they will have any problem in international cricket. I think they will flourish and will have amazing careers as well.”