“Not yet” – Ravi Shastri not in favour of picking Umran Malik for the T20 World Cup

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri is not in favour of picking up the young speedster Umran Malik in India’s T20 World Cup squad. Talking about India’s squad for the T20 World Cup scheduled to be played in October-November later this year, Shastri explained that the express pacer must be groomed properly before unleashing Umran on such a big stage.

The Jammu and Kashmir pacer shot to the limelight during the Indian Premier League 2022 courtesy of his express pace, where he consistently managed to notch up over 150 kph. The youngster also won the ‘Emerging Player of the Season’ award and was subsequently rewarded with the maiden national call-up for the South Africa T20 series.

However, Umran Malik failed to find a place in the playing 11 for the first T20I played in New Delhi on Thursday.

“Groom him. Take him with your team,” says Ravi Shastri on Umran Malik

“No, not T20 as yet. Groom him. Take him with your team. If anything, let him start playing white-ball cricket, that is 50-over cricket, maybe even red-ball cricket. Groom him there with the red ball team and then see how it goes,” quipped Ravi Shastri while speaking to ESPNcricinfo.

Umran Malik was retained by Sunrisers Hyderabad ahead of the mega auctions for the IPL 2022. The youngster repaid the faith put in by the franchise by producing a solid season with the ball. He consistently clocked well in an excess of 150 kph and finished the season with 22 wickets in 14 matches, including a five-for against Kolkata Knight Riders.

Meanwhile, India have had a tough start to the T20I series as the visitors defeated them by 7 wickets in the opening game. The Proteas hunted down a massive total of 212 courtesy of twin fifties from Rassie van der Dussen and David Miller.

Umran Malik didn’t get an opportunity in the opening game and if he gets one in the 2nd T20I still remains to be seen.