Cricket News

Former Indian legend compares Umran Malik with Sachin Tendulkar

Former batting great and Indian skipper, Suni Gavaskar has lauded the young bowling sensation of J&K, Umran Malik. He said that previously he was very excited to see Sachin Tendulkar, and after Sachin, the Umran is second played for whom Gavaskar is excited to see. Former legend also reckons that the young lad should be there in the playing of India for the next T20I.

Gavaskar opined that the J&K pacer should start proceedings for the Indian team at Vizag. He also said that it will depend on the nature of the wicket which will be offered to play in the third T20I. There is also the situation that the hosts will not go to perform any experiment in the very crucial match of the series where they have to win for survival in the series.

Last time he was Sachin for whom I was this much excited, this time he’s Umran – Gavaskar

“The last time I got really excited at seeing an Indian player was Sachin Tendulkar. And after that I am excited to see Umran Malik, I do believe he should play, but again they might say that let us win the third one and get ourselves in a situation, and then maybe they can think about experimenting,” Gavaskar was quoted as saying in show at Star Sports.

“Arshdeep and Umran, you want to see them play at some point in the series. You are looking to pick your squad for the World Cup in October so I think they need an opportunity. They need a wicket-taking bowler and Umran Malik is a wicket-taker… we know that,” He added later.

Speaking of the series, the South African team won the series opener by chasing a massive target of 212 runs to register a seven-wicket win. The visitors chased the target with the help of batting heroics from David Miller and Rassie Van Der Dussen.

Coming off a win in the first T20I, Bavuma’s men carried their brilliant form in the second T20I at Cuttack as well. South African bowlers restricted the hosts to only 148 runs in the first innings. Later on, they chased the target easily with a blistering knock of 81 runs from Heinrich Klassen.

The third of the five-match T20I series will be played at Visakhapatnam’s Dr. Y.S Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium on June 14 (Tuesday).