IND A vs NZ A: Pace sensation Umran Malik has been handed yet another opportunity to make his mark after the selectors named him in the India A squad for the games against New Zealand A. The two developmental sides are set to play three four-day games and Malik has been included in the red ball squad. The Sunrisers Hyderabad star was fast-tracked into the Indian team after an impressive IPL but struggled to replicate his success at the 9international level. Follow India A vs New Zealand A live updates on Insidesport.IN
IND A vs NZ A: Umran Malik gets a shot in the arm with India A call up, Jammu Express handed another chance to impress selectors – Check out
After just three T20Is and three series with Team India, Umran Malik was dropped for the series against West Indies and Zimbabwe. Malik in his few outings failed to justify his inclusion and looked undercooked at the international level, prompting him to fall behind in the pecking order.
He has now been handed a second chance with red ball cricket, after being named in the India A squad for the home series against New Zealand A. With a series of experienced and quality New Zealand players touring, the three unofficial tests provide him with the opportunity to make his mark and return to the scheme of things.
IND A vs NZ A: Umran Malik gets a shot in the arm with India A call up, Jammu Express handed another chance to impress selectors – Check out
Umran and Prasidh Krishna are the only experienced international pacers in the India A ranks and are likely to get the nod when the series begins in Bengaluru. Malik’s work ethic and his willingness to improve was there to see when he signed up for a local JKCA tournament to remain fit and running.
Umran is the only second player from Jammu & Kashmir to play for India after Parvez Rasool. He was also named the Emerging Player of IPL 2022 after bagging 22 wickets in 14 matches. He was an instant hit, clocking 157KMPH in IPL 2022. But he could never manage to cross 150KPH in more seam-friendly places like Ireland and England.
Despite his poor performances, captain Rohit Sharma assured that the 22-year-old remained in India’s plans for the future.
“He is very much in our plans, it is just trying to give him that understanding as to what the team requires from him as well. Yes, there will be times where we want to try out a few guys and Umran is definitely one of those guys, keeping one eye on the World Cup, we want to see what he has to offer for us,” Rohit Sharma said ahead of T20 series against England.
