The terrific performance of Umran Malik in the match against “Gujarat Titans”is something that has become the major topic of discussion recently. The former New Zealander veteran like Daniel Vettori and the Australian player Chris Lynn cannot resist themselves and came in full swing support for the Jammu and Kashmir based pacer denoting him as “Gem”for the Indian national cricket. The duo has expressed their honest reviews through ESPNCricinfo T20 Time Out interview session.
Daniel Vettori and Chris Lynn as veterans in the game of cricket says that Malik is all set to begin playing for the Indian National team and can be fast-tracked in for the upcoming T20 world cup going to take place in Australia this year. Both veterans also believes that the pitches of Australia due to its bouncy and pace nature can add value to this young budding pacer.
Malik was first noticed during the net bowling sessions of last year’s IPL (2021). At the time the pacer was acting as net bowler.
Umran’s maiden five wickets during the match against the Gujarat Titans was absolute stunning and if take the words of the Australian cricketer Chris Lynn seriously, then you’ll be surprise to know what he said during that interview, he said,
” He’s going to take the world by storm if he does get a chance at the international level. It is lucky that I am not a selector for India.”
Such a powerful words from a foreign player for the player inside, is something should not go unnoticed. Now whether, this is just another strategy or a true review but one thing is for sure, that Indian pacer, Umran Malik, has shown something that naturally has not been seen in years. Just imagine the 5 wicket he took out of which 4 wickets were on the stumps.
Umran Malik has become the second-best uncapped player of this year IPL season and according to ESPNCricinfo’s smart stat analysis, the 5 wickets Umran took was equivalent to 8 wickets with bowling impact of 166.64, which is highest for a bowler in the IPL.
Danniel Vettori pointed out that such a pace is a rarity and has been seen only in pacers like Shoiab Akhtar from Pakistan, BretLee from Australia and Shaun Tait from Australia again, which Daniel also compared to be an X-factor.
“That pace generates anxiety among batters and not just tailenders, it’s all batters,”
Vettori said.
“We don’t often see bowlers get around the 153-154 mark. That’s exceptional pace, that’s a rarity that we haven’t seen I suppose consistently since the likes of [Brett] Lee, Shoaib Akhtar or Shaun Tait. So to see that is a huge part of the game now. You can see the excitement factor, brings a bit of X-factor.”
Daniel continues praising by saying that it is the raw pace that remain as weapon for Umran which helps him to speed up to 145 kmph on a consistent basis.
In another interview Umran Malik was having with the TOI team, he was asked whether he has plans to exceed the 155 kmph mark and can we see him at that pace? In response, the player humbly said,
“I just want to bowl at the right areas and good wickets and if I have to bowl above 155 kmph, God willing, I will do one day”
Indeed, there must be hidden gems in the valley of Jammu & Kashmir that BCCI should send scouts for look out.
With short of words, I praise of Malik we would only wish Umran Malik the best for his future and remain as “forever Gem” from India.
