India faced a defeat at the hands of Australia in the second ODI at Visakhapatnam, where they lost the game by 10 wickets to level the series 1-1. The Indian batting line-up was dismantled by Mitchell Starc and he claimed a fifer. After getting bowled out for 109 in the Indore Test, yesterday was the second time in six innings that India were out for just over 100 (117) before Australia chased down the total with ease. And, former Australia pacer Brett Lee wants to see the addition of Umran Malik in the Playing XI.
“I like him. Get him in. Why not? (Inclusion in Test cricket). I said he should have played the World Cup last year in Australia. Didn’t take him at the start but he should have been there. He would have been the first pick in my team because raw pace is very hard to harness. You got to look after them but you’ve also got to throw him in the deep end at some time. Get him out there, allow him to play and let him scare a few batters around the world,” Brett Lee said on Sports Tak.
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Umran Malik, who is part of India’s squad for the Australia ODIs, has not been picked in both matches with Shami and Mohammed Siraj handling the pace attack as well. Umran has played 8 ODIs and 8 T20Is claiming 13 and 11 wickets respectively as well, including doing some classic fast bowlers’ dismissals. Umran has time and his pace is enough to rattle, shatter and destroy stumps and touched the 155 kmph mark regularly as well.
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Recently in a T20I against Sri Lanka, he bowled a batter with so much pace that the bail flew and landed almost at the edge of the 30-yard circle also. And his inclusion could be helpful for India as well.
