Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) head coach Brian Lara has come up with a justification for the absence of Umran Malik in the team’s playing XI, saying that the tearaway fast bowler has been out of form in the IPL 2023. The West Indies legend went on to say that while the team management has high hopes for Umran, they must field their best XI.
The SRH team management has often been criticized for mishandling Umran Malik, who has played only seven matches in IPL 2023 and his last appearance came on April 29 against Delhi Capitals (DC). Umran, who has gained fame in the IPL in recent years due to his ability to generate sheer pace, has claimed only five wickets with a best bowling figure of 2 for 35 in IPL 2023.
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The omission of Umran, who has played eight ODIs and as many T20Is for India, has sparked debate about whether the franchise properly utilized him. Irfan Pathan, a former India fast bowler, and Umran’s mentor, recently tweeted: “League’s fastest bowler sitting out baffles me.” His team did not handle Umran Malik well.”
League’s fastest bowler sitting out baffles me. Umran Malik wasn’t handled well by his team.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) May 13, 2023
As per the quotes in India Today, Brian Lara said, “You just have to look at the form of the player. We have great expectations of Umran, and he has got Dale Steyn to work with. But we have to play each game to win. We have to put our best eleven out on the field. And now, with the Impact Player, our best 12. It’s strictly on the fact that it’s about the form of the player that we look at before picking the team.”
Brian Lara added that another talented young fast bowler, Kartik Tyagi, has only played one match this season.
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The SRH coach explained, “We have 25 players, and I would have liked you to ask about (Kartik) Tyagi because he is also a special talent and he’s only had one opportunity so far. I can’t see anything wrong in terms of selection. I just feel that every time the team gets on to the park, we are not playing the game that we are supposed to.”
