Mumbai: Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has said that young Sunrisers Hyderabad pacer Umran Malik should partner with star india pacer Jasprit Bumrah in the forthcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022, which will be held in Australia.
The 22 year old pacer from Jammu and Kashmir has been one of the most talked-about names in the country in the last few weeks for his heroics in IPL. The young pacer possesses the ability to consistently bowl the deliveries at over 150 kmph. So far in the Indian Premier League 2022, he has been very impressive as he has bagged 15 wickets for Kane Williamson-led side, including a 4-wicket and a 5-wicket haul.
While talking about Umran, the former India off-spinner said that the SRH pacer is his favourite and he should be part of the Indian team. “He (Umran Malik) is my favourite, I want to see him in the Indian team because what a bowler he is,” Harbhajan was quoted as saying to ANI.
“Name a pacer bowling more than 150 (kmph) and is not playing for the country. So, I think it is a great thing and he will inspire many youngsters to take up this game, where he has come from and what he is doing in IPL, he has been unbelievable,” he added.
Harbhajan further said that if he was a member of the selection committee he would have given Umran a go-ahead. “I don’t know if he will be selected or not but if I was part of the selection committee, I would have given him a go ahead. Umran Malik should partner Jasprit Bumrah when India play in Australia,” the former off-spinner added.
The only ball that beat this one in sheer pace was bowled 11 years ago. Let that sink in. 🔥#JammuExpress | #DCvSRH #OrangeArmy #ReadyToRise #TATAIPL pic.twitter.com/JO0fCjNErU
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) May 6, 2022
Umran clocked 157kph in SRH’s last match and Harbhajan backed him to breach the 160kph in Australia and expressed hope at “promising cricketer” Malik’s selection in the India National Cricket Team.
“I am sure he will also learn, he’s a promising cricketer and I hope he gets selected and plays for India. Take Umran there, he will bowl 160 there. Even if they give him a flat wicket there, he will break someone’s head,” said Harbhajan.
The veteran off-spinner further gave his and legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s example and said that age should not be a factor when considering him for the India National Cricket Team. “When Sachin (Tendulkar) played for India, he was very young. Of course, he was Sachin Tendulkar, but that’s okay, ‘aise hi player bante hai’ (players are made like this).
“When I played my first Test, I was 17 and half, but if you keep on thinking that he is a kid, then time will run out. When he is bowling at his best, he should be playing. Forget what his age is, when someone is performing well and is fit enough, they should walk in,” Harbhajan further added.
