Former Indian pacer RP Singh feels that the young Indian speedster has got a lot of skills to improve in his game, as the pace cannot be his only weapon going into International Cricket. The 24-year-old is part of the India squad for the West Indies tour.
Umran Malik made his white-ball debut for India in 2022 and has had a decent outing for the team in ODI cricket. The youngster is known for his tearaway fast bowling as he has been clocking 150kmph-plus consistently in International Cricket.
Speaking on Jiocinema, RP Singh feels that Umran Malik has got a good number of matches before the World Cup to showcase his skill set for the Indian team and become an integral part.
Singh reckons that pace can work in his favour but he does not move the ball much and added that pace cannot be the only weapon in the International as he needs to make a game-plan to play the highly quality opponents and believes that he is in the loop for the mega event due to his pace.
“You have a good number of matches before the World Cup. He can get 5-6 games in the Asia Cup, and three more matches (against Australia). Umran has the advantage of pace. But the issue with him is the skill — his deliveries do not move much.
“In international cricket, speed alone cannot be the only weapon. You have to make a game plan as well, and that is something he is not learning as quickly as he should. He also concedes a lot of runs. But he seems to be in the loop for the World Cup because he has the pace,” RP Singh said.
Umran Malik had a poor IPL season with Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2023. He was benched following his poor performance with the ball for the major part of the season.
In the eight matches of IPL 2023, he has claimed only five wickets at an average of 43.40 and a higher economy rate of 10.85 and would like to make his case strong in forthcoming to make it into the ODI World Cup later this year.
The Body And The Mind Need Time To Adjust And You Need To Play… – RP Singh
RP Singh feels that it is important for Jasprit Bumrah to have some games under his name just before the ODI World Cup as he is returning to the game after a prolonged gap owing to a back injury. He said that he needs some time to adjust to playing in the International Cricket.
“For Bumrah, getting some games under his belt on the Ireland tour and in the Asia Cup will be better in the context of playing in the World Cup. When you are returning from an injury layoff, the body and the mind need time to adjust and you need to play some matches for that,” RP Singh said.
The 29-year-old hasn’t played any competitive cricket since September 2022. The speedster availability will be crucial for Indian Team in the Asia Cup and World Cup, India’s team failed to win a single ICC trophy post-Champions Trophy victory in 2013.