India will take on South Africa in the second T20 International at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on Sunday. After losing the series opener by seven wickets, many cricket experts are expecting a major change in their playing XI from Team India. It was the bowling department in particular that disappointed the hosts after the batsmen posted a mammoth total of 211 runs in the first innings. Cricket pundits want India to hand over pacer Umran Malik, who made his debut in the second T20I against South Africa. Umran got his first India call-up after a stellar performance in IPL 2022.
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Former India cricketer Dilip Vengsarkar has made a big prediction on Umran Malik’s future as an Indian cricketer. He feels that Umran should get a chance to showcase his talent in the ongoing T20I series. Vengsarkar is quite impressed with the pace and accuracy of the J&K pacer.
He said, “Everyone has a different perspective on the game. But I think he deserves to play in the IPL after showing that kind of pace and accuracy. Also when you are playing (international cricket) at home, So this is the right time to test someone like him, Khaleej Times quoted Vengsarkar as saying.
In his first full season of playing in the IPL, Malik was in top form for Sunrisers Hyderabad, taking 22 wickets in 14 matches at an average of 20.18 and an economy rate of 9.03, taking a four-wicket haul and a five-wicket haul respectively. He has been instrumental in picking up wickets for his franchise in the middle overs phase. He was also named as the emerging player of the season at the end of the competition.
“He is one of the most exciting prospects in the last 10 years. I expect him to do well because he looks very fit, and he has the aggression of a fast bowler. He has the pace and accuracy. I think he should Should be able to play for India for a long time,” concluded the former right-handed batsman.