IPL 2022: Kashmir pacer Umran Malik shines in SRH Vs RR; clocks 145 kph, finishes with 2/37

Jammu and Kashmir pacer Umran Malik impressed everyone with his pace in the first match between SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Rajasthan Royals.

Clocking speeds over 140kph consistently, the SRH pacer picked up two wickets for 37 runs against Rajasthan  Royals (RR). Umran removed the England star Jos Buttler in his 2nd over in the high-scoring first innings. Umran then broke a 50-plus stand between Sanju Samson and Devdutt Padikkal by beating the latter with pace as he consistently clocked pace over 145 kph.

The 22-year-old pacer finished with figures of 2/37 even as Rajasthan posted 210 on the board in 20 overs. The pacer had impressed in his maiden season for SRH in IPL 2021. SRH retained him for Rs 4 crore along with captain Kane Williamson and all-rounder Abdul Samad, also from Jammu and Kashmir.

Last year Umran Malik clocked 151.03 kilometers per hour (KMPH)  in his first over against Kolkata Knight Riders, Coming from a humble background, Umran’s father runs a fruit stall in Jammu. A class X dropout, Umran is the only brother of his elder sisters.

Last season, Umran Malik was with the SunRisers as a net bowler. But after T Natarajan tested positive for COVID last month, Malik was named his replacement.

 Malik made his competitive debut last year. He has picked a total of four wickets having played one T20 and List A match for Jammu and Kashmir. Malik made his T20 debut for Jammu and Kashmir in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in January last year. In his T20 debut vs Railways, he returned with the impressive figures of 3/24nt.  

“He is consistent and I like his attitude. This kid can only learn. This guy has got genuine pace, if he hits the right areas, he is going to trouble a lot of batters. It’s about handling him properly. You have got to give him the right messages. The way you communicate with him will be very important,” Ravi Shastri told Star Sports. “There is no doubting his potential. This guy is an India player.”