IND vs AUS 2023: Umran Malik would have been the first pick in my team for third ODI, says Brett Lee

Former Australian gun fast bowler Brett Lee wants India’s team management and selectors to play Umran Malik in the playing XI in the third ODI of the series against Australia. India backed Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and Shardul Thakur in the first ODI of the series whereas Axar Patel replaced Thakur in the second game.

Meanwhile, Malik has impressed with his raw pace and he has shown the skills to consistently bowl above 145 kmph. The 23-year-old speedster from the Valley has scalped 13 wickets in eight matches at an average of 27.31 and an economy rate of 6.45.

Lee wants Umran Malik should be included in the Test squad and he feels he should have been part of the 2022 T20 World Cup squad.

“I like him. Get him in. Why not? (Inclusion in Test cricket). I said he should have played the World Cup last year in Australia. Didn’t take him at the start but he should have been there,” Brett Lee said on Sports Tak.

Umran Malik had bowled a 157 kmph rocket in the previous season of the Indian Premier League while playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad and it was the fastest delivery by an Indian.

“He would have been the first pick in my team because the raw pace is very hard to harness. You got to look after them but you’ve also got to throw him in the deep end at some time. Get him out there, allow him to play and let him scare a few batters around the world,” Lee added.

Malik had hogged the limelight in the previous season of the IPL 2022 while playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad. The fast bowler took 22 wickets in 14 matches and finished as the fourth-highest wicket-taker in the tournament.

India will take on Australia in the third ODI of the series at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Wednesday in the deciding game.