Ex-India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey explains how Umran Malik can make India comeback

Umran Malik last played for India in July last year.

Ex-India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey detailed the pathway for pacer Umran Malik to make a comeback into the Indian team. This came after Mhambrey was talking about the potential the J&K pacer possesses due to his raw speed.

One of the most fascinating stories in Indian cricket’s recent history is the rise and fall of Umran Malik. With his lightning-quick pace in the IPL 2022, the fast bowler made a name for himself by frightening even the most seasoned hitters.

Bowling at above 150 kmph regularly made him one of the most talked about players, drawing praise and appreciation from cricket enthusiasts and experts alike. Umran Malik earned his India debut in ODIs and T20Is as well on the back of his performances in two IPL seasons.

The raw pace and ferocity that had made Umran a standout in the IPL were evident in his early efforts for India. But, maintaining that kind of performance turned out to be difficult.

Umran found it more difficult to stay consistent as the matches went on, especially with his line and length. This discrepancy started to cause serious problems for both the IPL and international matches.

Mhambrey said that to bowl at 140kmph is good and the pacer did that, but he was going haywire with his line and length.

“I think one has to build talent. Someone having express pace is a rare commodity and you see potential in him. When he burst onto the scene bowling 145-148 (kmph), I’m not someone who gets carried away with the speed gun showing 160kpmh because I don’t think it is real, you realize pace was his strength. He was definitely quick and was hitting the high 140kmphs regularly,” Mhambrey said while speaking to The Indian Express.

Umran Malik was last seen in action against the Mumbai Indians while playing for the Sunrisers Hyderabad in March 2024 and gave away 15 runs in the only over he got to deliver.

Paras Mhambrey reveals how Umran Malik can make his way back into Indian team

Paras Mhambrey also outlined how the Indian team management has formed a pathway for Umran Malik to come back into the Indian team. The former India coach has said that the team management has urged Malik to go back to the Ranji Trophy and bowl there to get his control back on his speed.

“To bowl consistently at that pace is good and he has done that. But how does he do that? In T20s, if you are not having control, you will struggle. Once you do that, you will lose the faith of the captain. So one has to gain control and that will happen only if he plays Ranji Trophy. That is why we are pushing him to play Ranji Trophy because when he goes through a season, even under pressure, he will be able to execute his skillset,” Mhambrey added.

Umran Malik last played for India in ODIs in July 2023. His last appearance in T20Is for India came in February last year, when India faced New Zealand in Ahmedabad.

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