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Umran Malik says he’s fit and raring to make comeback to competitive cricket having last played top-flight cricket in IPL 2024.
Umran Malik (second from left) is aiming to make India comeback. (AFP Photo)
It’s been over a year since Umran Malik was last seen playing competitive cricket. It was an IPL 2024 match in March for Sunrisers Hyderabad which they won by 31 runs against Mumbai Indians. Malik bowled just one over and was creamed for 15 runs in what was a high-scoring affair.
After featuring in just one game for SRH in IPL 2024, he was released by the franchise ahead of the mega auctions where he was picked by Kolkata Knight Riders at his base price. However, he was ruled out of the last season before it got underway due to an injury.
Malik burst onto the scene as a tearaway pacer could regularly bowl in the 150kphs. In IPL 2021, playing for SRH, he took 22 wickets in 14 games and the performance saw him make his India debut in the same year. However, since then, his career – international and domestic – has suffered due to a series of injuries and illness.
Now, he’s plotting is competitive return and is set to feature in the ongoing Buchi Babu tournament in Chennai where he will represent Jammu and Kashmir. The 25-year-old says having played enough red-ball and T20 matches in Kashmir has helped him build up the workload for the season ahead.
“I’m feeling good. I haven’t played cricket for a long time. I was injured for seven-eight months. It was a struggling phase. It feels really good to be back,” Malik told ESPNcricinfo. “I have played a lot of red-ball and T20 matches in Kashmir. It was our registration camp. We have come to Chennai for the Buchi Babu. It is good to play as many matches as I can. It is good for my body’s workload. I’ve come back and will do well in the season. That’s my aim.”
Malik spent nearly six months at the BCCI Center of Excellence in Bengaluru where did his rehab. Now, he’s focused on maintaining the right mindset while avoiding outside noise, especially the chatter on social media.
“Injury is a part of life for a sportsman. It is bound to happen. At that time, I kept myself strong. I kept my mindset right. Everything is fine now,” Malik said.
“Yeah, I’ll be bowling in full rhythm now. I’m a sportsman and I don’t pay attention to social media. Actually, I want to play cricket. I just want to protect my body from injuries, and I want to play cricket well. I want to play for India and that’s my aim. I will play the matches after this Buchi Babu, and I think the Ranji Trophy. Hopefully, I can take wickets and make a comeback,” he added.
Malik has also been training with former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar who is now back with KKR
“I’m developing three-four new variations. I’m also working with Abhishek, P Krishna Kumar (J&K bowling coach) and Ajay Sharma, he is our head coach. I had a camp with Abhishek two weeks back here in Chennai and it felt good to work with him,” he said.
Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in digital…Read More
Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in digital… Read More
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