India’s sensational bowler Umran Malik, who impressed one and all with his express speed during the 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League, will not join the Indian cricket team in Australia ahead of the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had named Umran Malik along with Kuldeep Sen as the net bowlers chosen to assist the Indian side in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup 2022, however, because of a delay in getting visas for Australia, the duo will not join the Indian side in Australia.
Umran Malik played all 14 games for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League 2022 and picked up 22 wickets this year. However, it was the pace with which he was delivering that stole all the attention. He was bowling in excess of 150kmph days in and out.
Meanwhile, former Australian pacer Brett Lee was left surprised that team India hasn’t considered bringing in Umran Malik as a replacement for injured Jasprit Bumrah in the T20 World Cup squad. As per Lee, Umran should have been included in the squad for the mega event in Australia because the wickets Down Under are expected to provide pace and bounce for the fast bowlers.
Speaking to Khaleej Times, Brett Lee claimed that India made a big mistake by not considering Malik for the T20 World Cup 2022. He 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,”
Furthermore, Lee talked about how Jasprit Bumrah’s absence is going to affect the Indian cricket team at the mega event and said that the pressure will now be on Bhuvneshwar Kumar. He said:
“The fact is that Jasprit Bumrah suffered a back injury. It’s a huge blow to India’s chances (at the World Cup). I am not saying they can’t do it. They are a wonderful side, but a strong Indian side is the side that has Jasprit Bumrah. That would put pressure on guys like Bhuvneshwar Kumar,”
Notably, Bhuvi is India’s highest wicket-taker in the shortest format of the game but he has been struggling for quite some time now. In fact, he has proved to be expensive in death overs as well.
