If Umran Malik attacks the stumps more, he can be very awkward: Ravi Shastri

Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has said if Umran Malik attacks the stumps more, he can be a really awkward customer for the batters. Malik impressed one and all with his express pace in the recently concluded Indian Premier League while playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad.

The 22-year-old from Jammu and Kashmir bowled in excess of 145 km/h and breathed down the neck of the opposition batters with his extra pace. Malik scalped 22 wickets in 14 matches for Orange Army at an average of 20.18 and an economy rate of 9.01. Thus, Malik was able to make the cut into India’s 18-man squad for the five-match T20I series against South Africa after his impressive performance in the IPL for SRH.

It was noticed that Malik showed tremendous improvement in the IPL while playing under the tutelage of bowling mentor Dale Steyn. Malik was accurate in his line and length and Shastri believes the youngster will be challenging to face if he bowls straight at the stumps.

Ravi Shastri said while talking to Star Sports, Game Plan, “If he can focus and get the lines right where he attacks the stumps more, then he can be a very awkward customer, especially if there is something in the surface, if it is two-paced, it has a bit of juice in it, at that pace he can rattle you, especially newcomers who come into bat.”

Shastri feels Malik still has a lot to improve in his bowling as he can struggle with his line and length on some occasions.

“There is not too much work to be done. It’s just about making him more consistent in what he does, which means his practice sessions in the nets will revolve around line more than anything else. He hits the right areas length-wise but line-wise he sometimes struggles.”

Former Indian all-rounder feels the team management should give Malik his opportunity as the selectors have picked him in the squad.

“If you have picked him, may as well give him an opportunity, see how he goes. I think the best thing is that he is part of the mix. I kept saying he should always be part of the mix and then you can work on him whilst he is there.”

“Glad he is part of the team and he will do his quantity of bowling in the nets and in the middle if he does well, it’s just about smelling the coffee at that level. You play for India and you do well in one or two matches and then you are away, especially if you have got the pace.”

The first T20I between India and South Africa will be played at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on June 9.