T20 World Cup 2021: Umran Malik set to join team India as net bowler

Sunrisers Hyderabad’s pacer Umran Malik turned many heads with his outstanding bowling performances in the UAE leg of the IPL. The speedster is considered the pick of IPL 2021 owing to his exceptional bowling display. However, Malik has now been asked by BCCI to stay back in the UAE as India’s net bowler for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2021.

He made his IPL debut for SRH against KKR and grabbed the attention of many as he clocked 151.03 kmph and bowled the fastest delivery by an Indian bowler in the ongoing season. In the next match against RCB, he scripted history as he bowled the fastest ball ever in IPL by an Indian as he touched the speed of 153 kmph.

His talent and efforts have fetched him a lot of praises from the cricketing world and has been asked to stay back with India as a net bowler according to Cricbuzz.

Virat Kohli opens up on Umran Malik

The Indian Premier League is often instrumental in grooming young players and providing them with the platform to showcase their skills. The pacer from Jammu and Kashmir initially started his journey with SRH as a net bowler. But after the team’s pacer T Natarajan tested positive for Covid 19, he was included in the squad.

Opening up on Malik, Virat Kohli asserted that it is good to see someone bowling at a great speed. He added that the pool of fast bowlers getting stronger is a huge positive for India.

“This tournament throws up talent every year, good to see a guy bowling at 150 clicks [on Umran Malik]. It is important to understand the progress of individuals from here on. The pool of fast bowlers being strong is always a good sign for Indian cricket and whenever you see talent like this, you are going to have your eyes on them and make sure you maximize their potential which is already being seen at the IPL level,” Kohli said after the match.

The pacer had earlier opened up on his journey and had also stated how former India cricketer Irfan Pathan helped him. He had said, “In 2018, I was practicing regularly. After (playing for) under-23, I played the Vijay Hazare and Ranji Trophy. I thank the SRH franchise for giving me an opportunity. Irfan Pathan came and he told me where I can improve. I was scared at first when I had to bowl to (David) Warner and (Kane) Williamson in the nets. I prayed to God that I just bowl good balls. I kept on learning and this has helped me.”