'Batter ki aankhein do baar band karaani hain' - Ishant Sharma's advice to India's young pace sensation

In India T20 League 2022, Umran Malik was the best find for India. He had made a big splash the season before with his raw pace but had already established himself with Hyderabad the previous year thanks to his wicket-taking skills, which helped him make the Indian team. But, the main issues surrounding him are workload management and how India may wisely employ the young pace phenomenon.

Speaking on the show 'Rise Of New India', renowned Indian fast bowler Ishant Sharma remarked on the mindset that needs to be imparted to Umran. He believes that the administration ought to allow him the assurance and flexibility to use his pace to the fullest without worrying about being hit for runs. Ishant stated that Umran should be informed that he must make batters fearful.

‘So agar 150-160 jo bhi fek sakta hai woh feke’ – Ishant Sharma

“He shouldn't worry about ki kaha fek raha hai. Jab khelega, experience ayega toh woh fek hi dega. But abhi sabse important cheez hai ki teez fekni hai. So agar 150-160 jo bhi fek sakta hai woh feke. He should just back himself. Kya farak padta hai ki agar run keliye jaa raha hai toh. Tera kaam run bachana nehi, out karna hai. Jab tak do batters ki aankh band nehi hoti toh speed ka kya faeda? Koi usko iss tarike se confidence de ki batsman ki aankehin do baar to band karani hi hai (He shouldn't worry about where the deliveries land. With experience, he will understand. So if he can bowl at 150 or 160, he should concentrate only on that. What is the use of bowling that fast if the batters don't end up closing their eyes in fear? So someone should tell him and give him the confidence that you have to bowl so fast that batters fail to see it)," he said.

Dinesh Karthik, former Indian wicketkeeper-batter, emphasised that Umran must master old and new ball bowling to make the 2023 ODI World Cup team. He does, however, believe that the Indian captain significantly impacts how Umran is managed in terms of selection and workload.

“Umran Malik was the find of the last ITL when it comes to fast bowling for sure. What he brought to the table was extreme pace which India have never had. What I really liked about him is that he has really worked on his consistency in length because when you bowl that fast it becomes really difficult to be consistent with length. He has also been someone who has bowled through the middle of the innings a lot more. The more he bowls in the powerplay and the death, it increases his chance of being in the 2023 ODI World Cup team. And I think he has done that in the T20s,” he added.