The Indian Premier League, one of the most-followed cricket leagues in the world, is known for scouting talent that takes everyone by surprise. Each year, the IPL introduces fans and the cricket fraternity to new faces, some of which go on to play for India.
Last year, one among the new faces that stole the limelight was Umran Malik, a young pace bowler from Jammu and Kashmir. Interestingly, Malik was not picked by any franchise in the IPL 2021 auction, but he was with the Sunrisers Hyderabad as a net bowler. When T Natarajan tested positive for COVID, the Sunrisers drafted Malik into the team, a decision that introduced India and world cricket to one of the fastest pacers.
Here are 9 things you need to know about Umran Malik
Umran is a fast bowler who hails from Jammu and Kashmir. The 21-year-old consistently bowls at the speed of 140kmph.
He made his IPL debut in 2021 against Kolkata Knight Riders as a replacement for T Natarajan, who was out with COVID. He impressed everyone with his raw pace on debut, and went on to be a permanent in Hyderabad's playing XI for the remainder of the series.
Before making his IPL debut, Malik had little to no experience of playing domestic cricket. He had played just one List A match for Jammu Kashmir, in which he conceded 98 runs in his 10 overs against Bengal while also picking a wicket. In T20s, too, he had played just one game - in the Syed Mushtaq Ali against Railways, where he returned with figures of 3 for 24 at an economy of 6.
Malik was groomed by former India pacer Irfan Pathan, who was the mentor of the Jammu Kashmir team for a brief time. “What struck me was his pace, but back then, he would jump out a lot. So, we had to work a bit on his bowling action. That helped him gain control and it benefitted his bowling,” Irfan Pathan told Star Sports. “Umran was one of the young prospects and our aim was to work with him in the camp and prepare him for the Ranji Trophy. But that did not happen. But all credit to him, he has worked really hard over the last few months and has been very impressive in the nets,” he added
Malik played just three matches in IPL 2021 from which he picked up two wickets. But his exceptional pace meant he was retained for the next season alongside Kane Williamson and Abdul Samad. He clocked two deliveries over 150kmph that season.
Soon after the conclusion of IPL 2021, he travelled with Team India to the UAE as a net bowler for the T20 World Cup, which was one of his biggest learning curves.
While Malik did not earn any money from his first IPL season which he played as a replacement for T Natarajan, he has earned a whopping Rs 4 crore as salary for the second season. Not too long ago did the pacer’s father make ends meet by selling fruits.
He repaid the investment made in him by SRH by being one of their top bowlers in the 2022 season. As of May 19, Malik has 21 wickets in 13 matches at a strike rate of 13.43. This includes a four-wicket haul and a five-wicket haul.
The cricket fraternity has been in complete awe of the youngster’s bowling and former cricketers are of the opinion that the pacer will go on to become one of India’s all-time speedguns across formats.
Image credit: IPL
