Former Australian cricketer Bret lee feels that the Indian Cricket Team should’ve picked pacer Umran Malik in the Indian side for the T20 World Cup 2022. Citing the example of Malik, he said that when India has the best car in the garage why haven’t they picked him and what’s the fun of having that car.
“When you have the best car in the world, and you leave it in the garage, then what’s the point of having that car?” Brett Lee on India not picking Umran Malik
Indian Team is currently in Australia for the T20 World Cup 2022. They have done their preparations right and all they need to do is execute their plans. The Rohit Sharma-led side will begin their campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday (23rd October).
The players have been in fine form and the squad looks pretty balanced as well. But many feel that India will lack pace in the Australian conditions as they only have Mohammad Shami who can bowl express pace whereas others are medium pacers.
There were calls to include Umran Malik in the side when Jasprit Bumrah got injured. Termed the ‘exciting prospect’ he took the cricket fraternity by storm with his express pace during the IPL 2022. He clocked the second-fastest delivery in the league (157kmph) and also took 21 wickets for his side.
Umran’s impressive show in the tournament earned him a place in the Indian side. He made his debut against Ireland and it was a decent outing for him in the two T20Is as he defend 17 runs in the last over for his side. He then played T20I against Australia, where he was expensive and since then he has found himself out of the Indian side.
Umran Malik was breathing fire against Maharashtra in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy a few days ago! Rattled Ruturaj Gaikwad, who had gotten better of him in IPL earlier this year, with pure pace (4th ball)! pic.twitter.com/CioF8uWmRk
— Mohsin Kamal (@64MohsinKamal) October 17, 2022
Brett Lee also feels that India should’ve picked Umran Malik in the side. Speaking to Khaleej Times, he said:
“Umran Malik is bowling at 150 km per hour. I mean when you have the best car in the world, and you leave it in the garage, then what’s the point of having that car? Umran Malik should have been picked in the Indian squad for the World Cup.”..
“Yes, he is young, yes, he is raw, but he bowls at 150 kmph, so get him in the team, get him to Australia where the ball flies through. It’s different when you have a guy bowling at 140 kmph and a guy who is bowling at 150 kmph.”
Injury of Jasprit Bumrah will put pressure on the Indian side – Brett Lee
Brett Lee also raised concerns over the absence of Jasprit Bumrah in the side. He said that it’s a big blow for them and there will be added pressure on other pacers.
“The fact is that Jasprit Bumrah suffered the back injury, it’s huge blow to India’s chances (at the World Cup). I am not saying they can’t do it. They are a wonderful side, but a strong Indian side is the side that has Jasprit Bumrah. That would put pressure on guys like Bhuvneshwar Kumar,”
Will India miss Umran Malik in the upcoming T20 World Cup? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/V7uBKFtW49
— 12th Khiladi (@12th_khiladi) October 14, 2022
