Former Australian speedster Brett Lee feels that Umran Malik should have been added to the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup. The Jammu Kashmir-based pacer had a great Indian Premier League as he stunned everyone by bowling 150 mph consistently. While representing SunRisers Hyderabad, Umran picked 22 wickets in just 14 matches. As a result, he was then called up to the Indian squad for the T20I series against Ireland.
Brett Lee spoke to Khaleej Times and said, "Umran Malik is bowling at 150 km per hour. I mean when you have the best car in the world, and you leave it in the garage, then what's the point of having that car? Umran Malik should have been picked in the Indian squad for the World Cup”.
Lee also specified that with his deadly pace, Umran can actually trouble the batters on Australian wickets.
"Yes, he is young, yes, he is raw, but he bowls at 150 kmph, so get him in the team, get him to Australia where the ball flies through. It's different when you have a guy bowling at 140 kmph and a guy who is bowling at 150 kmph!" he added.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) stated that the Indian speedster Deepak Chahar will not be taking part in the T20 World Cup due to a back injury. Chahar was added to the standby list. Since he is injured now, the selectors have asked Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and Shardul Thakur to go to Australia. Earlier, India’s star pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out from the T20 World Cup due to a back injury.
The Indian team under the leadership of Rohit Sharma will face Pakistan in their first match of the ICC T20 World Cup in Melbourne on October 23.