Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has questioned Umran Malik’s absence from all recent Indian squads. The gun fast bowler from Jammu and Kashmir had last played in an T20I back in February 2023 whereas his last ODI in Indian colors came back in July 2023.
Malik has picked 13 wickets in 10 ODI matches at an average of 30.69 whereas he has scalped 11 wickets in eight T20I matches at an average of 22.09. The 24-year-old pacer, who has the ability to clock more than 145 kmph consistently, has been expensive in his short T20I career as he has conceded his runs at 10.49.
Ergo, he hasn’t been backed by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel. Indian selectors have recently named a 16-man squad for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan but Malik could not find a place despite big names like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami missing. Furthermore, Malik could not even get selected for India A for their recent tour of South Africa.
Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “Till some time back, Umran Malik was everywhere. We took him to the West Indies as well and it seemed like he could be in the World Cup team too but now he is not there in any of the teams. He doesn’t even get selected for India A.”
The renowned commentator questioned Malik’s sudden exclusion despite receiving minimum chances at the top level.
“What happened within three months that a guy first gets selected for the Indian team, gets very minimum chances there, and then goes totally missing? We don’t even know where Umran Malik is. Why isn’t he there? We should know why this is happening.”
Moreover, Chopra also questioned Shreyas Iyer’s exclusion from Afghanistan T20Is. Iyer had scored a fifty against Australia in the final T20I but could not make the cut for the upcoming T20I series.
“When I look at the recent selection, I see Shreyas Iyer. There was a five-match series immediately after the World Cup, so he was rested for the first two or three matches but then he joined the team as a vice-captain. He scored a fifty in the last match against Australia as well. It was a match-winning knock.”
“Then he went to South Africa as well but now he is not in the team. Why is he not there? If he was a part of your team, what happened to him now, suddenly? What will you tell Shreyas Iyer, that why hasn’t he been picked?”
The first T20I between India and Afghanistan will be played at Mohali on 11th January.
