‘See How Things Develop’- Ravi Shastri On Whether Umran Malik Should Be Included In The Team For T20 World Cup 2022
ICC World T20 2022: Since the start of the IPL 2022, Umran Malik has been generating a lot of buzzes. Everyone started talking about the young speed phenom when he picked up 22 wickets during the season. His pace, accuracy, and the fact that he picked up a five-wicket haul, one four, and a three-wicket haul in an innings twice caused everyone to speak about him. People have been begging for him to join the Indian squad, from the legendary Dale Steyn to Kevin Pietersen. Their hope was granted not too much later when the BCCI selected Umran to be part of India’s team for the upcoming five-match Twenty20 International series in South Africa.
Only time will tell whether Umran will get a game, even if India’s head coach has intimated that it would be difficult to grant the rookie pacer a spot in the playing XI, solely because there are players ahead of him waiting in the wings. Dravid emphasized the importance of maintaining continuity. If we’re being really honest, it would be a surprise to see Umran wear the India shirt any time soon. Having said that, Umran will be in the running for the T20 World Cup later this year. The next thirty or so matches will determine his destiny for the competition in Australia.
Ravi Shastri, a former coach for India, thinks that Umran is not yet prepared to participate in the World Cup for India. Shastri has been extremely outspoken about Umran’s speed and the potential shown by the teenager. He has even asked the BCCI to keep an eye on him and help him develop his game. However, when asked about the possibility of participating in the World Cup at such an early stage in his career, Shastri had a plain response.
Ravi Shastri talks about Umran Malik’s chances of playing in the ICC World T20 2022
“Not even close to T20 just now. Groom him. Include him in the group’s activities. If anything, it would be best for him to begin playing white-ball cricket – the 50-over cricket, or even red-ball cricket, if possible. Train him to play for the red ball squad, and then see how things develop,” Shastri said according to ESPNCricinfo
To go along with his 22 Twenty20 appearances, Umran has only participated in three First-Class matches and one List-A game. As a result of the fact that India is likely to grant specific spots to Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Deepak Chahar, players such as Harshal Patel, Shardul Thakur, Mohammad Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna are already in front of them in the line of competition. Daniel Vettori, a legend of New Zealand cricket, concurs with Shastri’s assessment and believes that Umran should not be rushed into playing in the World Cup.
“He should be close to the group at all times. Because I believe that they need to exercise some control over him. Although I don’t believe he has passed any of the fast bowlers who are considered to be first-choice, I do believe that his time will come,” said the former captain of New Zealand.
