For Indian cricket fans, the wait to see Umran Malik back in action has been a long one. It has been more than a year since the Jammu and Kashmir speedster last played competitive cricket, his previous appearance coming in March 2024 for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) against Mumbai Indians in the IPL. That game, which SRH won by 31 runs, saw Malik bowl just a single over, conceding 15 runs in what turned out to be a high-scoring clash.

Following that brief outing, Malik’s journey took an unexpected turn. Despite being released by SRH ahead of the mega auction, he was picked up by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at his base price. Unfortunately, injuries struck again, ruling him out of the entire 2024 season even before it began.

This was a frustrating blow for a bowler who had burst onto the scene in IPL 2021 with raw pace, consistently clocking speeds above 150 kph. His tally of 22 wickets in 14 matches that season made him one of the most talked-about young pacers in India, eventually earning him a maiden call-up to the national side. However, a series of injuries and illness since then have derailed his promising start, leaving fans eagerly waiting for his full-fledged comeback.

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That wait might finally be nearing its end. Umran Malik is now gearing up to feature in the prestigious Buchi Babu tournament in Chennai, representing Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking about his recovery and return, the 25-year-old sounded optimistic.

“I’m feeling good. I haven’t played cricket for a long time. I was injured for seven-eight months and it was a struggling phase. But it feels really good to be back. I’ve played a lot of red-ball and T20 matches in Kashmir, and this tournament will help me prepare for the season ahead,” he told ESPNcricinfo.

Umran Malik is set to return to action in the ongoing Buchi Babu tournament and the upcoming Ranji Trophy after rehab at the NCA 💪

Read more 👉 https://t.co/qbyaY8Qgdg pic.twitter.com/8tWSlXL6MT

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) August 20, 2025

Malik also spent close to six months at the BCCI’s National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru for rehab, where he worked extensively on his fitness and mindset. “Injury is a part of life for a sportsman. At that time, I kept myself strong and made sure my mindset was right. Now everything is fine, and I’ll be bowling at full rhythm,” he said.

Determined to silence the outside noise, Malik has been focusing purely on his cricket. His immediate goals are to stay fit, deliver consistently in domestic cricket, and make a strong case for an India comeback through tournaments like the Ranji Trophy.

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To sharpen his skills further, Malik has also been working closely with former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar, along with J&K’s support staff. “I’m developing three-four new variations and training with Abhishek has been really helpful,” he revealed.

For Indian fans, Umran Malik’s return could inject fresh firepower into the pace attack—if he can stay fit and rediscover the rhythm that once made him the country’s fastest bowler.