With the T20 World Cup 2022 edition is just around the corner, and after a disappointing performance in the T20 World Cup 2021 edition, everyone’s eye will be on Team India for the coming edition to be played in Australia.
With just about 3 to 4 months left for the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia, the debate is high as to which Indian players should be selected into the Indian team for the world’s biggest of the shortest format of the game.
While the likes of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah had a struggling season in the IPL 2022, they are sure of a place in the Indian team being the seniors, and they are not be judged on just the IPL performance.
However, India saw the rise of some of the young and upcoming cricketers in the IPL 2022, and one among them is none other than Umran Malik.
Umran had a breakthrough season while playing for the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Malik bagged 22 wickets in the competition, but, what was even more interesting is his pace. The pacer is capable of bowling at over 150 KMPH consistently, while the his fastest ball in the IPL 2022 was 157 KMPH.
Umran has been selected into the Indian team for the T20 series against South Africa and a good performance here could open up his place in the Indian team for the T20 World Cup 2022.
However, former India Head Coach Ravi Shastri has a different say to it. Speaking to the ESPNcricinfo, Ravi Shastri stated that Umran is not ready for T20 yet, but should be part of the team always, and may consider giving him opportunities in the ODI or even Red Ball cricket. Shastri added that Umran needs to be perfectly groomed first.
“No, not T20 as yet. Groom him. Take him with your team. If anything, let him start playing white-ball cricket, that is 50-over cricket, maybe even red-ball cricket. Groom him there with the in the red ball team and then see how it goes” said the former India boss.
