Kashmir Digits

Umran Malik is the talk of the town these days and rightly so, as the pacer continues to wreak havoc in the ongoing IPL 2022.

Already grabbing headlines owing to his devastating pace, the Sunrisers Hyderabad fast bowler impressed taking a career best 5-wicket haul against Gujarat Titans during which he dismissed Wriddhiman Saha with the delivery clocking 153.3 kmph.

Umran Malik has definitely made a name for himself in the cut throat atmosphere of IPL. With clamour increasing for his inclusion in the Indian national team we take a look at some lesser known facts about J&K’s pace sensation.

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1. Umran Malik Played Only One List A Game Before IPL Break.

To say that Umran was relatively unknown before his IPL break in 2021 would not be far from truth. The Jammu Kashmir fast bowler his List A debut was against Bengal in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in February 27, 2021.

It was not a fruitful outing for the bowler as he went for 98 runs while claiming just one wicket in his 10 overs. Bengal went on to win the contest by 82 runs.

2. Umran Malik Played Tennis Ball Matches On Hire For Rs 500 or 1000.

Early in his career Umran Malik played tennis ball cricket matches for Rs 500 or 1000.

Playing with the tennis ball, increased his pace and temperament, but he was still very raw. This also meant he had to more effort to generate pace with the tennis ball eventually leading to his development as a pure fast bowler.

Parvez Rasool, who has played a couple of matches for India, revealed to PTI that during his initial years, Malik did not have formal coaching. It was only after joining the coaching camp of District Sports Council that his mentoring began.

3. Umran Malik Not Interested In Cricket?

According to many reports and his coach, Umran had a very casual attitude towards cricket early on.

According to Randhir Singh Manhas, a coach at the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council, the fast bowler took things very lightly in his initial days.

Manhas revealed to Sportstar that he would turn up one day and then not come for three days. And again, after a week or so, you would see him bowling at the nets.

However, his raw pace and ability to bowl the perfect yorkers with the heavy ball impressed Manhas who urged Umran to make cricket a central focus and become serious about the game.

READ ALSO: Life History Of Umran Malik, Fastest Delivery, Relationship Status, Place Of Birth.

4. Rejected For Jammu Kashmir Under-19 Team

With cricket experts heavily calling for Umran Malik to be included in the Indian team it may come as a surprise that he was once rejected for the Jammu Kashmir Under-19 team.

This decision was criticized by Umran’s coach and former Indian wicket-keeper Ajay Ratra.

5. Umran Is A 10th Class Dropout.

Umran went through a period of real financial struggle early in his career. His father, a fruit seller was the only earner in the family.

This meant Umran had to drop out of Class 10th to financially support his family.

Despite this his father encouraged him to play cricket.

At the age of 17, he joined the cricket coaching camp of the District Sports Council, where his journey began and the rest is history.