Where is Umran Malik, India's fastest bowler?

World Cricket has seen raw pace. The West Indian stalwarts, producing deadly bouncers targetting the batters' bodies, stood unapologetic on the other side of the pitch. It is not that the Asian subcontinent is unaware of pace. Not far behind, but the Rawalpindi Express Shoaib Akhtar, who averaged 150+ km/hr during his playing days, is still bright enough in the "pace heaven!"

However, to the Indians, this was something new. New in the sense, of the pace, but definitely not the fast bowlers' trademark aggression. India, a country that has traditionally played 3-spinner even in SENA countries, is somewhat fetishistic about raw pace.

In a normal world, when the Indian eyes were getting accustomed to the long-haired Ishant Sharma or the bubbly yet ferocious Sreesanth, a decent gentle Jasprit Bumrah came to rule with techniques. In such a scenario came Umran Malik.

The boy came, awed everyone with his speed, and suddenly went behind the bush.

Recently, another pace star became the talk of the town—Mayank Yadav, a Lucknow Super Giants prodigy, with an average speed of almost 140 km/hr, took a break due to a niggle but came back with his talent, putting Malik on the shelf!

The Rise of Umran Malik: India’s Speed Demon

Umran has hammered that view, where faith in having wily spinners and medium pacers has already been established in his country, India. 

Umran's generation grew up watching Dale Steyn, Brett Lee, and Mitchell Johnson being a threat to their opponents. Umran took their pace.

Hailing from a not so popular state in terms of cricket, Jammu and Kashmir, Umran caught the eyes of the U-19 selectors while paying homage to the Vaishno Devi Temple.

Sunrisers Hyderabad, a fan of nurturing young talents, didn't wait but took him to their bank. 

By then, SRH was backing Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Ishant Sharma and investing in youngsters like Sandeep Sharma, T Natarajan, Siddarth Kaul, Khaleel Ahmed, and Basil Thampi. Had COVID-19 not interrupted, his debut would not have had to wait until October.

Umran's thunderous spell against Royal Challengers Bangalore during IPL 2021 sent shockwaves across the cricketing community. He didn't just bowl fast; he bowled fearsomely fast, clocking the five fastest deliveries of that season, including a terrifying 156.9 kph ball.

Indian fans found their new sensation, their new Steyngun.

The Derailed Express

Umran had pace. Umran just had pace. A ball coming at 155 km/h going totally outside the white line becomes wide!

Umran lacked control and accuracy in line and length. Mohammad Shami once advised him to look after the techniques more than the pace. The SRH bowling unit that once had Steyn himself, however, backed his pace. Who knows if Steyn rejuvenated his lost self through Umran's pace?

International cricket requires accuracy and a decent economy. His T20I and ODI numbers were apt—11 wickets at a strike rate of 22.09 in T20Is and 13 wickets at 28.1 in ODIs. But his economy rate was the most concerning factor. In T20Is, he was conceding almost 10 runs an over. He undeniably has a great wicket-taking ability, but India needed control as much as speed.

As a usual outcome, Umran started fading. Since January 2023, he hasn't been visible in the T-20 Internations. ODI appearances were paused due to injury.

Injuries are bosom friends to fast bowlers, but imagine a bowler with such speed! The injury did no mercy to him as well. An unwanted toe injury, a hamstring issue, and a stress fracture in his left hip restricted him from taking part in the Ranji Trophy.

Hopes hanging

From Umran's point of view, all hopes are not washed away. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) continues to monitor him, and he was included in the first batch of fast-bowling contracts awarded by the board.

Till now, it seems fine.

But there enters Mayank Yadav. In the first T-20 against Bangladesh, in Gwalior, he rained down deliveries nearing 150 km/hr each. Mayank bowled 4 overs with a maiden and took one wicket, conceeding 21 runs, maintaining a remarkable average of 5.25.

However, this is the beginning of both the names. Both Umran and Mayank are in their early 20s. They will have ample time to go to and fro in the team, but hard work and corrections will make a permanent spot in the team.