Umran Malik grabbed everyone’s attention during the 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League with his express pace bowling. Malik set a record of winning 14 consecutive Fastest Delivery of the Match awards. Playing for SunRisers Hyderabad, Malik did an impressive job and won the Emerging Player of the Season award.
Courtesy of his excellent performance for the Orange Army, Umran Malik received his maiden national call-up ahead of the T20I series against the South African cricket team. Malik can make his international debut tomorrow evening at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
Fans should note that former South African cricket team fast bowler Dale Steyn has played an important role in Umran’s rise to the top. Steyn was the fast-bowling coach of the Hyderabad-based franchise this season. Umran improved a lot under his guidance.
In a chat with BCCI, Umran disclosed what Dale Steyn told him after his maiden national call-up.
“When I got selected for India, Dale Sir (Steyn) was with me in the team bus. We were going for the match. Everyone congratulated me and Dale sir said, ‘I told you before the IPL that you would get the India call-up after the season. And that’s exactly what happened, by the grace of god.”
Can Umran Malik make an impact in his debut series?
Over the years, many young Indian players have won the IPL Emerging Player of the Season award, but not everyone has been able to make it big at the international career. Some of them achieved massive success, while a few could not even make their international debuts.
It will be interesting to see how Umran Malik performs for the Men in Blue. He can be a long-term asset for the team because he clocks 150 kmph consistently and is improving his line and length as well gradually.
