Srinagar: J&K star pacer Umran Malik who is currently with Sunrisers Hyderabad for IPL 2024 was recently handed a BCCI contract for fast bowlers.
The contract is going to benifit fast bowlers in various ways, apart from financial perspective they will also insurance and training benefits.
However, now a report in Hindustan Times has said that Umran Malik who was out of favour with selectors due to his below par performances, has been given contract with a eye on upcoming away Australia series.
The report has said that BCCI selectors are keeping a close eye on Malik to see if he develops his game enough to be fast-tracked to the squad for the tour Down Under.
The report also revealed that the, selectors had advised the Jammu and Kashmir team set-up to offer Malik reasonable game time in this Ranji season so that he got accustomed to bowling longer spells. Malik featured in five Ranji matches, having played just one match last year and two the year before that.
The three home matches which Malik played were all heavily weather-affected. In the one away match he played at Cuttack against Odisha, he bowled 26 overs across the two innings. All his wickets came while attacking the stumps at his high pace.
“What he has is rare ability. He will develop other skills with time but what is currently expected of him is to consistently bowl fast and build long spells,” Hindustan Times report quoted BCCI official.
With BCCI’s increased focus on Test cricket, plans are afoot to build a pool of fast bowlers who can do the job in Australia. India will be chasing their third successive Test series win in Australia. India won 2-1 in 2018-19 as well as 2020-21.