Sunrisers Hyderabad fast bowler Umran Malik is in a league of his own in IPL 2022.
The Jammu and Kashmir pacer has become a star in his own right, clocking incredible speeds during the ongoing tournament. While wickets have eluded him, and he remains expensive, Malik's pace has sparked a debate about his seemingly impending India debut.
On Monday, Malik showed why he is regarded a once-in-a-generation bowler when he bowled the quickest delivery of this year's IPL. Bowling to Gujarat Titans at the DY Patil Stadium, Malik was clocked at 153.3 kph (95.2mph).
That was a pinch quicker than Malik's fastest delivery of IPL 2021 – 152.95 kph (95mph) against Royal Challengers Bangalore in Abu Dhabi – and is easily the fastest delivery officially recorded by an Indian bowler.
On Monday, luck deserted Malik once again as a number of edges went behind the wicket for boundaries with one going between slip Aiden Markram and keeper Nicholas Pooran when both failed to go for the chance.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan is among the growing contingent of voices who expect Malik to play for India soon.
Apart from Malik, a number of other young Indian quicks have impressed with their pace and aggression this season. Kuldeep Sen, Prasidh Krishna and Avesh Khan have flourished on the quick wickets in Mumbai and Pune, with some – if not all – hoping to force their way into the India squad that heads for the T20 World Cup in Australia later in the year.
