Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra feels that pacer Umran Malik needs to be managed better by the selectors and the Indian team. Umran made his India debut against Ireland in the T20I series. So far he has played only three T20I matches for India. However, the pacer was dropped from the Indian team for the West Indies series.

Umran took the world by storm during the Indian Premier League 2022 season with his raw pace. His performance earned him a maiden India call-up during the T20I series against South Africa. Recently, the BCCI announced India’s 18-member squad for the West Indies T20I series. Umran’s exclusion from the team surprised Aakash Chopra.

In a video on his Youtube channel, the former cricketer expressed that the Indian team needs to manage Umran Malik better. He said,

“Umran Malik is not there. He has not been rested, but he is not there. What are you doing with Umran, that’s a question that must be asked. You should, of course, talk to him, and a little better management is required.”

Aakash Chopra further added that a lot of people shot his opinion down when he expressed that Umran Malik is not ready for international cricket. Umran has taken two wickets in three T20Is so far but has proved to be very expensive. He has conceded 112 runs at an economy rate of 12.44.

You made him part of all teams, and now he is part of none: Aakash Chopra

Former cricketer Aakash Chopra expressed that it is not fair to drop Umran Malik from the Indian team. He further elaborated that the Indian team should have stuck with the pacer if they feel that he is ready for international cricket. Aakash stated,

“At one point, you made him part of all teams, and now he is part of none. That’s not right because you are going to West Indies, it is possible he is sent to Zimbabwe. If you feel he is ready; stick with him. If you feel he is not ready, then take him forward slowly, but don’t drop him from the team.”

The Indian team will tour West Indies for a three-match ODI series followed by five T20Is. The ODI series begins on July 22 in Trinidad with the T20Is to start on July 29.

---