Team India captain Rohit Sharma has asserted that rookie fast bowler Umran Malik is very much in the team’s plans for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2022. The marquee event is scheduled to take place in Australia later this year. After an exit from the group stages last year in the UAE, the Men in Blue will be keen to put up a better performance and lay their hands on the silverware.
Incidentally, Umran impressed one and all with his ability to hit 150 kph consistently in the recently concluded IPL 2022, while playing for the Sunrisers Hyderabad. He also ended up with 22 wickets from 14 games, including the best figure of 5/25 against the Gujarat Titans.
He was immediately handed a national call-up against South Africa but didn’t play a game. Umran Malik made his debut against Ireland and had a decent campaign in a couple of T20Is. He defended 17 runs in the final over of the second game to help the Men in Blue win the tie.
Ahead of the three-match T20I series against England, Rohit Sharma stated that he has specific roles for Umran. Addressing reporters on the eve of the first game, the Indian captain said:
“He is very much in our plans. We are trying to give him an understanding as to what the team requires from him as well. Yes, there will be times when we want to try out a few guys and Umran is definitely one of those guys.”
Skipper @ImRo45 is considering #UmranMalik as a candidate for the T20 World Cup in Australia
Rohit Press Conference ahead of 1st T20I against England
Watch extended PC on OneCricket Youtube Channel: https://t.co/n0cCvddTR3#RohitSharma #TeamIndia #ENGvsIND1stT20 pic.twitter.com/nmlFR04EyX
— OneCricket (@OneCricketApp) July 6, 2022
“Keeping one eye on the World Cup, we want to see what he has to offer for us. He is definitely an exciting prospect. During the IPL, we saw that he could bowl fast. It’s about giving him the role, whether we want him to bowl with the new ball or want to use him in the middle overs,” Rohit Sharma added.
India will look to finalize their combinations for the marquee event, starting this three-match series against England.
The first of the three T20Is is scheduled to take place on July 7 (Thursday) in Southampton.
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