Playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the just-concluded Indian Premier League (IPL), Umran Malik impressed one and all with his express pace. He consistently bowled over the 150 kmph mark in the cash-rich league.
The 22-year-old featured in all 14 league matches for SRH, claiming 22 wickets at an economy rate of 9.03. For his impressive showing in IPL 2022, the Srinagar lad earned the Emerging Player award.
Former Australia speedster Brett Lee too took note of Umran’s searing pace in the IPL 15 season, and opined that the youngster can bowl even more quicker if he works on the few technical areas of his bowling in the future.
“There have been many, who have been bowling some decent balls but I have been really impressed with Umran Mailk. I think he is a great find, a youngster hitting over 150 kph, so he has been very very impressive. And, I still believe he can go quicker, which is exciting not only for people like me but for many former cricketers who want to watch guys bowl fast, certainly for Indian cricket," Lee told IANS.
“There is something in his run-up that he can improve on, action, pulling down harder different parts of the wrist positions. But, the great thing is that one’s actions will never be perfect. My action was never perfect but I always tried to be the best version of me so up until the last ball I bowled before being retired, I was working on my action. So, one can keep improving every single day," he added.
According to Brett Lee, batters have taken their game to a different level in the last decade or so while the bowlers are lagging behind. No wonder, he is pleased to see fast bowlers, who can touch 150 kmph mark, emerging from the IPL 2022.
“Over the last sort of fifteen years, I have noticed that batsmen are getting and hitting bigger shots, hitting bigger sixes more often and different kinds of shots have been developed and we have also seen pace being dropped and now we think that 140 kmph is fast. Now, what we have seen through this IPL, a few guys have hit the 150 kmph barrier, which is exciting and so I am up for it," said Lee.
Sharing an advice for the young fast bowlers, the Australian said, “What makes a good fast bowler is a good sprinter. So, my advice to any young bowler, who wants to bowl on his bowling and become faster to become a good sprinter."
Thanks to his IPL exploits, Umran Malik recently received his maiden call-up to the senior Indian team for the upcoming T20I series against South Africa, slated to get underway on June 9 in Delhi.
