India’s lethal speedster Umran Malik was at the pick during the 2022 Indian Premier League season for Sunrisers Hyderabad, taking 22 wickets in 14 games. As a result, he got an India call in both the white ball formats. He has played a total of 16 games for India and has scalped 24 wickets. Talking about IPL 2023, the Jammu and Kashmir-based bowler has been away from the limelight as he got to play seven of their 13 games for SRH so far this season.
Umran spoke about his recent form and told Star Sports, “Last year, I played all games and bowled all overs. This time, I bowled less overs and took 5 wickets only. When I wasn’t playing, I was putting on the hard work. I hope to perform better today (against MI).”
“I don’t think my pace is impacted. If I bowl only two overs… I also need some overs to heat up my batteries and get that pace up. I’m trying to bowl the right lines with good speed, and with some variations. When the team needs wickets, I target wickets. Otherwise, I try to curb the flow of runs.”
Umran picked up five wickets in seven games he played in the 2023 edition of the IPL. SRH are also at the bottom of the points table and has been facing a lot of criticism for not managing Umran well. Former Australia great Brett Lee also commented on Umran.
"Umran Malik is a wonderful bowler. He is a special talent. If his workload is taken care of properly, he will do wonders," Lee told TimesofIndia.com.
Earlier, Umran bowled the fastest ball in international cricket as he bowled at the speed of 155 kph against Sri Lanka. He also broke the record of India's ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah who used to hold the record of bowling at 153.36 kph.