Umran Malik’s Absence from Indian Team Raises Concerns About Lack of Red-Ball Experience
Umran Malik’s meteoric rise to fame in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2022, where he showcased his blistering pace and ability to consistently bowl over 150 km/h, earned him a spot in the Indian white-ball squad. However, despite his early promise, Malik has not featured for India in more than a year, raising questions about his current predicament.
Former India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey believes that Malik’s rapid rise without substantial red-ball cricket experience is a significant factor in his current situation. According to Mhambrey, Malik’s swift ascent to the national team via the IPL is typical of a bowler who lacks the grounding that comes from playing longer formats. With only 12 First-Class matches under his belt, Malik has struggled to maintain his place in the national lineup.
“Umran is a classic case of someone who has not played enough red-ball cricket,” Mhambrey told The Indian Express. “He came into reckoning through the IPL. That’s 24 balls in a game. Sometimes you don’t even get to bowl 24 balls. The amount of pressure in bowling 24 balls is not like the red ball. I feel this (T20) is not a format to judge a prospect.”
Mhambrey emphasizes the importance of First-Class cricket for developing a bowler’s skills and endurance. He explains that while the IPL offers a platform for showcasing talent, it doesn’t replicate the mental and physical demands of longer formats.
“For all the perks that come with bowling in the IPL, it has its repercussions as well,” Mhambrey continued. “We made sure that he played Ranji Trophy and red-ball cricket. The moment you play one season, you understand your bowling. Physically, you will be tested in different phases of the game. Sometimes you will have to be on the ground for six sessions. And to be able to bowl with that intensity when the last session is coming up, you will be physically and mentally challenged. And you need to go through that.”
Mhambrey’s insights highlight a crucial element in Umran Malik’s development: the need for experience and endurance that comes only from playing red-ball cricket. Without this foundation, Malik has found it challenging to adjust to the rigors of international cricket, leading to his exclusion from the team.
