IND vs SA Series: Umran Malik, India’s quickest bowler, made headlines in the just ended IPL 2022 for bowling the fastest delivery in IPL heritage by an Indian bowler. The spinner for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) also concluded the campaign as the bowler with the 4th-highest total number of wickets taken. In the league phase, Umran participated in 14 matches, he was the player who received the award for producing the quickest delivery of the game.
The first encounter of India’s five-match series at home against South Africa will take place on June 9 in New Delhi. The other matches will be played in various cities throughout India. Even though South Africa’s batting lineup is accustomed to facing quick bowlers, South Africa’s skipper, Temba Bavuma, indicated that they would be on the lookout for Malik in the upcoming Twenty20 International series.
“Umran Malik is an exciting pace bowling prospect for the Indian team. IPL has been great for the Indian team as they are able to unearth all these fast bowling options,” said SA captain Bavuma ahead of departure to India.
“I think in South Africa we grow up facing fast bowlers but I don’t think no batter likes to face ball at 150 kmph. But you prepare as well as you can”, he added.
Umran Malik is a special talent for Team India: Bavuma
A number of India’s seasoned players, including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah, have been given the day off for the Twenty20 International series versus South Africa. Bavuma, on the other hand, remarked that the home team is indeed a tough competitor and that South Africa cannot relax while concurrently preparing for the Twenty20 World Cup 2022, which will get underway in October in Australia. It is anticipated that this summit will take place in 2022.
“We also got guys who can bowl 150 kmph. So we have that weaponry in our arsenal. But Umran Malik is a special talent for Team India and I hope that he could emulate his IPL performance in international cricket,” the 32-year-old added.
“We don’t have the luxury to rest players. India may be resting a few players but the guys who are playing are also in good form and are great players. The important thing is to prepare for the World Cup. The guys need to be in a competitive space. And India series will be an important part of the competitive process,” Bavuma concluded.
It is important to remember that South Africa won the Test series 2-1 and the One-Day International series 3-0 against India previously this year.
