Umran Malik Eyes Domestic Season to Regain Form and National Team Spot

Umran Malik, the young pace sensation from Jammu & Kashmir, is determined to regain his place in the Indian cricket team after a series of setbacks that have put his promising career on hold. 

Bursting onto the scene with his exceptional pace during the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL), Malik quickly became one of the most talked-about young cricketers in India. However, inconsistent performances and injuries have since hindered his progress, and the 24-year-old is now focused on proving his worth once again.

Malik’s rise to prominence began with the Sunrisers Hyderabad during the 2022 IPL season, where his ability to consistently clock speeds above 150kph caught the attention of cricket enthusiasts and selectors alike. His performances earned him a call-up to the national team, where he was seen as a potential key figure in India’s pace attack. 

However, despite his raw speed, Malik’s lack of control and high economy rate became areas of concern. This led to a dip in confidence from the team’s management, including captain Rohit Sharma, who began to lose faith in the young pacer.

The 2024 IPL season proved to be a tough one for Malik. He played only one match for Sunrisers Hyderabad and bowled just a single over, raising questions about his form and fitness. 

Reflecting on this challenging period, Malik shared, “But it also gave me the time to work on things I wanted to in the practice sessions. I’ve definitely become a better bowler if you ask me. After the IPL, I injured my hamstring and just as I recovered I’m down with dengue,” he told Indian Express.

Despite the setbacks, Malik remains optimistic about his future. He has been working diligently on improving his control, an area that has been a focal point of criticism. Understanding the importance of combining his raw pace with accuracy, Malik has been focusing on new-ball bowling and mastering the art of swing. 

“These days I’m bowling a lot with the new ball because I believe swing can make a huge difference at my pace. I want to learn a few things, especially how to formulate a plan and execute it,” Malik explained.

Looking ahead, Malik is eager to participate in the upcoming domestic season, viewing it as a crucial opportunity to show his improvements. The speedster, who has only played five Ranji Trophy matches, believes that consistent match practice will be key to his development. 

“I want to keep it simple. My plan is to be ready for the domestic season. If I play more matches, then I would definitely be a better bowler. Even though I played only five Ranji matches, I realised how much I gained out of it. I’m waiting for the Duleep Trophy,” he said.

However, Malik’s immediate plans have been disrupted by a bout of dengue, casting doubt on his availability for the prestigious All India Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament, which begins on August 15. Despite this setback, Malik remains focused on his long-term goals. “If I play the entire season then I will know where exactly I stand and it will open up opportunities. I’m waiting to hold the red ball in my hand,” he concluded.

As Malik recovers, the cricketing world will be watching closely to see if the young pacer can translate his hard work into performances on the field, potentially reigniting his journey with the national team.