Umran Malik should be groomed through A tours, not fast-tracked into Indian team: MSK Prasad
India Today
IPL 2022: Former India chief selector Umran Malik cited the example of Mohammed Siraj and said that exposure through A tours and domestic cricket will help Umran Malik have a long career at the highest level.
Former India chief selector MSK Prasad has said there is no need to hurry when it comes to his possible selection to the senior national Indian team, adding that there are chances that the young pacer from Srinagar will get dejected if he doesn't find success at the highest level.
MSK Prasad said playing a full season of domestic cricket and then a couple of A tours should help the young pacer groom into a bowler who is ready for international cricket. Prasad, who was the chief selector when Mohammed Siraj was put through a similar process, cited the Hyderabad pacer's example while highlighting why there is no need to fast-track Umran.
Several former cricketers, including Harbhajan Singh and Sunil Gavaskar, have been backing Umran to get picked for the senior national team after the IPL. The 22-year-old from Srinagar has been making heads turn by clocking speeds in excess of 150 kph consistently in the IPL.
Umran clocked 157 kph, breaking the record for the fastest delivery bowled in IPL 2022 earlier this week for SunRisers Hyderabad. The tearaway pacer, who impressed with his raw pace last season, has certainly added control to his skillet and has picked up 15 wickets so far in IPL 2022.
"I feel Umran Malik should be groomed through a systematic process rather than fast-tracking into the Indian team. I know that clicking 150 kph-plus is never easy. But if you pick him for international duty and if he doesn’t do well, he will be dejected and will be nowhere," Prasad told The Federal.
"So, a full season of domestic cricket and a couple of India A tours will help him to develop into a good bowler similar to Mohammed Siraj."
MSK Prasad highlighted how Siraj was able to exceptionally ease into red-ball cricket when he first got the opportunity during a high-pressure Test series in Australia. Notably, the RCB star picked up a 5-wicket haul in India's famous victory at the Gabba Test, leading the pace attack after an unforeseen series of injuries to the first-choice bowlers.
