Once regarded as the next big thing in Indian cricket, Umran Malik has had a drastic fall in the ongoing IPL 2023 season. When SRH skipper Aiden Markram was quizzed about the Indian pace sensation the South African was clueless about his non-inclusion in the team, raising eyebrows about a possible rift between Malik and SRH management. Follow IPL 2023 Live Updates with InsideSport.IN.
The Jammu & Kashmir pacer has featured in only seven games in IPL 2023 season, picking five wickets.
IPL 2023: ‘I don’t really know what’s about behind the scenes…’ Markram’s answer on Malik leaves everyone stunned
With SRH already out of the playoff reckoning, everyone expected Malik to be part of the playing XI against RCB. SRH though handed a debut to Nitish Reddy and also included Karthik Tyagi.
What caught everyone’s attention was Markram, the skipper of SRH not knowing the exact reason on Malik being benched from the playing XI.
“Not too sure to be honest. Certainly, he’s a player with the X factor and bowls at 150kph, but I don’t really know what’s about behind the scenes but he has a lot of X factor. Lots of pride to play for. Guys are full of energy and determination,” Markram said at the toss.
Markram’s answer left Zaheer Khan and Harsha Bhogle a bit perplexed. The cricketing experts took to Twitter to express their displeasure.
“I felt Umran Malik has not been handled well by the franchise, (in) the way he should have been handled, (in) the way his services should have been utilised by SRH. That’s something which was evident,” Zaheer said.
IPL 2023: After Warner, SRH likely having rift with Umran Malik
This is not the first time SRH management has faced issues with players. Last season, David Warner spoke in length about his turbulent relationship with SRH.
“When you are dropped from the team you have loved the most for years without any real fault of yours and stripped of captaincy without being given a reason, it hurts,” Warner told Economic Times.
Speaking about SRH, the team yet another time faced heartbreak and slumped to a ninth loss of the season. SRH are now placed bottom of the points table, winning just four games from 13 matches. SRH play the last league fixture against MI on Sunday (May 21).
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