The Indian cricket team started the 3-match ODI series against West Indies with a bang as they won the first ODI by 5 wickets, though Indian bowlers bowled pretty well yet Indian batting was not up to the mark as they lost their 5 batters while chasing a small target of 115 runs.
Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav was adjudged as the Player of the Match as he took 4 wickets and gave away only 6 runs in 3 overs and he was well supported by Ravindra Jadeja who took away 3 wickets in his 6 overs. The Indian team played without their leading pacers – Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj and in their absence, the Indian pace battery comprised of Shardul Thakur, Umran Malik and debutant Mukesh Kumar. Hardik Pandya also chipped in by bowling 3 overs in the match but what has troubled many Indian cricket fans is the fact that Umran Malik who was termed as the next big thing in the Indian cricket some time back was not looking as lethal as he used to look earlier. Umran Malik has been going through a lean phase; in the IPL 2023, he performed so badly that his franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad benched him after playing him in some matches.
The former Indian pacer RP Singh opened up on Umran Mailk’s inconsistency to perform well and stated that there is nothing wrong with his mindset, he just needs to play more regularly.
This is what RP Singh who is a part of JioCinema broadcasting team stated, “I don’t think it’s a confidence issue. I don’t see any major issue with his bowling, though. I actually think his deliveries have started moving a bit. Things are still in his favour. He needs more matches. When you get 2-4 wickets, you don’t need external motivation. He was relying on cross-seam, maybe to find reverse. I think he should stick to seam only. I don’t find any major problem right now. If he gets 7-8 overs in a game with some consistent spells, he will be more aware of how his body is reacting, and whether he is in rhythm or not.
RP Singh goes on to say that Umran Malik’s biggest advantage is pace but skill is the problem that he needs to work on. In his words, “I will still say, his biggest advantage is his pace. The problem is the skill. The (ball) movement isn’t much right now, and planning the game (needs to improve). You also have to set batters up. He hasn’t learnt that as quickly as he should have. He concedes run, that remains the biggest worry. So, the Indian team needs to know how and when to use him.”
All the best Umran Malik!
