NEW DELHI: Fast bowling has always been a very exciting thing to watch on a cricket field. A genuine fast bowler on his run-up is a sight to behold and the sight of the batter’s furniture being disturbed after being beaten by sheer pace always gives an adrenaline rush to those watching.
And in this department India’s Umran Malik is making everyone sit on the edge of their seats, every time he plays these days in the IPL. After impressing everyone with his raw pace last season, the 22 year old from Jammu has been setting the IPL stage on fire this season, with absolute scorchers ranging from 145 to 153 plus kmph deliveries. The Sunrisers Hyderabad pacer, who was retained for Rs 4 Crore by the 2016 champions ahead of the last player auction, has taken 15 wickets in the 8 matches he has played so far and registered his maiden five-wicket haul against Gujarat Titans on Wednesday. Gujarat lost 5 wickets in their incredible chase of 196 vs SRH and Umran took all 5 wickets. His figures of 5-25 in the match are the season’s best, so far.
Wriddhiman Saha is clean bowled by Umran Malik. (BCCI/IPL/PTI Photo)
Among those five wickets was the dismissal of Wriddhiman Saha, Umran’s third wicket of the match and one that has become a big talking point amongst the fans. Batting on 68, Saha was well set and was looking to take the game away from the Sunrisers.
Having already dismissed Gujarat opener Shubman Gill and captain Hardik Pandya, Umran was already charged up when he bowled a brute of a delivery that was clocked at 152.8 kmph. Saha made room, but was late on the yorker that rattled his stumps much to the delight of Umran. This was also the fastest delivery of the match.
Umran Malik with a casual 153 km/h yorker to send Wriddhiman Saha packing. Unreal. #GTvsSRH https://t.co/dDhRGeO8mc
— Mike Stopforth (@mikestopforth) 1651079754000
Umran, who has multiple entries in the list of fastest deliveries bowled this season, was adjudged the Man of the Match even though his side lost the match by 5 wickets. Incredibly, Umran has also won the fastest delivery of the match award in all 8 games he has played this season. In Wednesday’s match, Umran walked away with the award, despite Gujarat Titans having Lockie Ferguson in their line-up, who holds the record currently for the fastest delivery of the season so far, at 153.9kmph (vs CSK).
Umran Malik celebrates the wicket of Wriddhiman Saha. (BCCI/IPL/PTI Photo)
A maiden India cap doesn’t seem to be far away now for this exceptional talent from Jammu and Kashmir, who if nurtured and taken care of well, can serve Indian cricket very well for a long time.
Umran Malik. (BCCI/IPL/PTI Photo)