Umran Malik

Umran Malik

Role: Bowler

Batting Style: Right Handed Bat

Bowling Style: Right-arm fast

Country: India

Team: Kolkata Knight Riders

Player profile for Umran Malik

Umran Malik is an Indian cricketer who has quickly made a name for himself as one of the fastest bowlers in Indian cricket. Known for his blistering pace, Malik has impressed both domestically and internationally, especially in T20 cricket. Here is a detailed overview of his life and career:

Personal Information:

  • Full Name: Umran Malik
  • Date of Birth: November 22, 2000
  • Place of Birth: Jammu, Jammu & Kashmir, India
  • Nationality: Indian
  • Height: 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
  • Batting Style: Right-handed
  • Bowling Style: Right-arm fast
  • Role: Bowler
  • Nickname: “The Jammu Express”

Early Life and Background:

  • Umran Malik was born and raised in Jammu, a region in northern India. He developed a passion for cricket at a young age and played in local competitions, where his raw pace was quickly noticed.
  • Malik’s early cricketing career was largely played in local tournaments and Jammu’s district-level cricket, but his speed and aggression set him apart from his peers. His natural ability to bowl at extreme speeds made him a standout talent.

Domestic Career:

  • Domestic Team: Umran Malik plays for Jammu & Kashmir in domestic cricket.
  • First-Class Debut: Malik made his First-Class debut for Jammu & Kashmir in the 2018-19 Ranji Trophy.
  • List A Debut: He made his List A debut for Jammu & Kashmir in the 2019-20 Vijay Hazare Trophy.
  • T20 Debut: Malik made his debut in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (India’s premier T20 domestic competition), where his raw pace immediately garnered attention.

Malik’s performances in domestic cricket, especially in T20s, created a buzz, and it wasn’t long before he was picked up for the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he would make his big breakthrough.

Indian Premier League (IPL) Career:

  • IPL Debut: Malik was picked up by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the 2021 IPL season as a net bowler. After impressing in the nets, he was handed an opportunity to play in the IPL in 2021.
  • 2021 IPL Performance: Malik made his IPL debut in the 2021 season, where his speed caught the eye of many. His fast bowling made him one of the standout bowlers of the season, and he became one of the fastest bowlers in the IPL.
  • 2022 IPL Performance: In the 2022 IPL, Malik was given a more prominent role in the SRH squad. His express pace, often crossing 150 km/h, made him a lethal weapon for SRH. He consistently bowled at high speeds, and his ability to bowl quick deliveries with bounce earned him significant recognition in the league.
    • Fastest Bowler: Malik’s pace was regularly clocked at speeds of 150 km/h+, making him one of the fastest bowlers in the IPL.

International Career:

T20I Debut:

  • Date: November 2021
  • Opponent: New Zealand
  • Malik made his T20I debut for India in November 2021 against New Zealand. His pace and aggressive bowling style were key factors that helped him make an impact on the international stage.

ODI Debut:

  • Date: June 2022
  • Opponent: Ireland
  • Umran Malik made his One Day International (ODI) debut against Ireland in 2022, continuing to impress with his pace and bowling in challenging conditions. His debut was another stepping stone in his rapid rise to international cricket.

Key Strengths:

  • Express Pace: Umran Malik’s primary strength is his exceptional pace, consistently bowling at speeds of 150 km/h or more. This makes him one of the fastest bowlers in India and an asset for India in the shorter formats of the game.
  • Aggression: His aggressive style, combined with his ability to bowl quick deliveries, makes him a dangerous weapon, particularly in T20s where attacking bowlers are in high demand.
  • Bounce and Stepping Up in Death Overs: Malik’s height and speed allow him to generate extra bounce, which helps him challenge batsmen, especially in the death overs. He has often been trusted to bowl crucial overs at the end of an innings in T20s and ODIs.
  • Yorkers and Variations: Although known for his pace, Malik has also worked on adding variations like slower balls and yorkers to his arsenal, making him a more complete fast bowler.

Statistics:

T20Is:

  • Matches Played: 10+
  • Wickets Taken: 10+ wickets
  • Bowling Average: 30+
  • Best Bowling: 3/25
  • Economy Rate: 8-9

ODIs:

  • Matches Played: 5+
  • Wickets Taken: 6+ wickets
  • Bowling Average: 30+
  • Best Bowling: 3/40

IPL:

  • Matches Played: 20+ matches
  • Wickets Taken: 25+ wickets
  • Bowling Average: 25+
  • Economy Rate: 8-9
  • Best Bowling Performance: 4 wickets in a match

Personal Life:

  • Family: Umran Malik hails from a humble background in Jammu and Kashmir. His family supported him throughout his journey into cricket, and his father, in particular, has been a significant influence on his career.
  • Background: Before his rise in professional cricket, Malik worked hard in local tournaments, and his hard work paid off as he earned a spot in Jammu & Kashmir’s domestic side. His ability to bowl at high speeds has made him a household name in Indian cricket.

Future Prospects:

  • Umran Malik is considered one of the brightest young fast bowlers in India. His future in international cricket looks promising, especially in T20s and ODIs, where his pace and aggression are valuable assets.
  • He has the potential to develop into a key bowler for India in the future, especially in the fast-bowling department where pace is critical, particularly in the shorter formats of the game.

Awards & Recognition:

  • Emerging Player of the IPL: Umran Malik’s performances in the IPL, particularly in the 2022 season, earned him recognition as one of the emerging talents in the league.
  • Youngest Fast Bowler in India: His rapid rise through domestic cricket to international cricket as one of the fastest bowlers has earned him the distinction of being one of the most exciting young fast bowlers to emerge from India in recent years.

Umran Malik is regarded as one of India’s most promising fast bowlers, and his pace and aggression have made him a significant prospect for India in the coming years, especially in T20 and ODI formats. His journey from local cricket to the IPL and then the Indian team is a testament to his talent, determination, and hard work.