The story of Umran Malik, as soon as hailed as the way forward for Indian quick bowling, is a story of meteoric rise adopted by an equally dramatic decline. From being the speedster who terrorized batters along with his uncooked tempo in IPL 2022 to struggling for kind and health forward of IPL 2025, Malik’s journey has been a rollercoaster trip. Former Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) bowling coach Dale Steyn’s current remarks on Malik’s decline have reignited discussions about what went incorrect for the “Jammu Specific” and the way he can bounce again.
The meteoric rise of Umran Malik
Malik burst onto the scene throughout IPL 2021 when his uncooked tempo turned heads. Retained by SRH for ₹4 crore forward of IPL 2022, Malik justified the religion with a stellar season. He claimed 22 wickets in 14 matches, together with a five-wicket haul, and persistently clocked speeds exceeding 150 km/h. His quickest supply of 157 km/h towards Delhi Capitals stays one of many quickest by an Indian bowler.
His performances earned him a spot in India’s white-ball squads in 2022. In 18 worldwide appearances (10 ODIs and eight T20Is), he scalped 24 wickets. Nevertheless, his excessive financial system fee grew to become a priority, resulting in his exclusion from the nationwide facet by 2023.
Dale Steyn calls Malik a ‘Ferrari caught in sixth gear’
Steyn, who performed a pivotal position in nurturing Malik throughout his time at SRH, just lately commented on the pacer’s struggles. Steyn likened Malik to a Ferrari caught in sixth gear, emphasizing that sheer velocity alone can’t assure success. He identified that Malik typically obtained caught up within the hype of bowling quick with out specializing in management and recreation consciousness.
“Similar to a Ferrari has six gears, you don’t have to make use of all six gears. The Ferrari nonetheless can function in first, second and third and quick bowlers are a lot the identical. They obtained to have the ability to know when to make use of their gears,” Steyn mentioned to ESPNcricinfo.
Malik’s IPL performances started to dip after his breakout season. In IPL 2023, he managed simply 5 wickets in eight video games at an alarming financial system fee of 10.85. The next 12 months was even worse; he performed just one match for SRH in IPL 2024 and conceded 15 runs in a single over. Accidents compounded his woes, with a hip concern sidelining him for a lot of the home season.
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Steyn’s sternly warns Malik
Steyn’s critique was blunt however constructive. The South African legend defined, referencing Malik’s obsession with velocity. The warning echoed Malik’s 2023 struggles, the place his financial system charges mirrored Steyn’s prophecy. The lesson? Uncooked tempo with out technique is a legal responsibility.
“I feel generally what occurs is a few guys get into the sport and so they get caught up by what’s taking place throughout them. 60,000 folks chanting and screaming and you are feeling like, ‘I’ve obtained to run in and I obtained to bowl 160 kph’, which is nice. However, if it goes towards the sport plan and it goes towards the run of play, you’re going to go for 60,70 and that’s not going to do your crew any good. It’s not going to even do you any good,” Steyn added.
KKR’s gamble: A brand new chapter or final probability?
In November 2024, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) threw Malik a lifeline, signing him for IPL 2025. For the pacer, it’s a shot at reinvention. Nevertheless, studies of his delayed camp arrival on account of damage restoration elevate questions. KKR’s religion hinges on whether or not Malik can channel his Ferrari-like velocity right into a extra nuanced arsenal—slower balls, yorkers, and tactical bouncers.
