Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has put his weight behind Umran Malik to be selected in the team’s T20 World Cup squad.
Malik has impressed with his raw pace in the ongoing IPL 2022 and the Turbanator feels the fast bowler deserves to be part of the national team for the T20I showpiece.
In fact, it is a bold statement from the former veteran off-spinner as Malik is yet to make his debut for the national team. Malik is consistently bowling above 145 kmph and he has breathed down the neck of the opposition batters with his extra pace.
The gun pacer from Jammu and Kashmir has also coupled his extra pace with accuracy in the last couple of matches. The 22-year-old ace paceman had returned with impressive figures of 2-27 in the match against Kolkata Knight Riders.
Furthermore, the 22-year-old pacer scalped four wickets and conceded 28 runs in his quota of four overs against Punjab Kings on Sunday. Malik took three wickets in the final over and bowled a maiden over to skittle out the opposition at 151. Thus, he was awarded the Player of the Match for his fine bowling show after SRH won by seven wickets.
Malik accounted for Jitesh Sharma, Odeon Smith, Rahul Chahar, and Vaibhav Arora as he was right on the money. Bhajji reckons Umran Malik could be India’s match-winner in the Australian conditions.
Harbhajan Singh said on Star Sports, “This (Blue) is the only jersey missing and he should get it early. I feel he is the most deserving one who should be selected to play for India in that T20 World Cup in Australia. He could be your match-winner there.”
Malik is growing in confidence and he is definitely expected to get better with more experience. The youngster must be learning a lot by playing under the tutelage of Dale Steyn and he will look to keep delivering for the Orange Army.
SRH will play their next game against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai on Saturday.
