‘Biggest advantage is his pace, the problem is skill’ – RP Singh analyses Umran Malik’s ODI career

Former Indian pacer RP Singh feels Umran Malik’s biggest asset is pace but he has to improve his skillset to play for India for a long time. Singh also feels India should play the young Indian pacer regularly so he can be ready for the upcoming ODI World Cup.

Notably, Malik has been selected in the ODI squad for the West Indies tour. He featured in the first game at Bridgetown along with three other pacers. Malik bowled three overs and went for runs on the spin-friendly pitch. The Indian side played two spinners in Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja, who picked up seven wickets together and dismissed the home side for 114 as India won the first ODI against the Caribbean side by five wickets. 

Interestingly, Malik is currently seen as the fourth pacer for the Indian side for the 2023 ODI World Cup, and many experts have suggested their views on the 23-year-old pacer.  

If they think Umran Malik is one for the future, they have got to show faith in him: RP Singh

“I will still say, his biggest advantage is his pace, the problem is the skill. The (ball) movement isn’t much right now, and planning the game (needs to improve). You also have to set batters up. He hasn’t learnt that as quickly as he should have. He concedes run, that remains the biggest worry. So, the Indian team needs to know how and when to use him,” Singh was quoted as saying by the Hindustan Times.

“By the looks of it, he will remain in the loop for the World Cup. And you can’t develop a player by playing him one game and then benching him for two. If they think Umran Malik is one for the future, they have got to show faith in him and polish him,” he further added. 

Malik began his career in June 2022 for the Men in Blue against Ireland. Since then, he has played nine ODIs and picked up 13 wickets. Meanwhile, the mega event will be hosted in India in October-Novemeber and the Rohit Sharma-led side will be looking to lift the trophy to end India’s ICC trophy drought.