‘Would have been first pick in my team’ – Brett Lee wants India to play Umran Malik in 3rd Australia ODI

Brett Lee. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Following the 10-wicket drubbing at the hands of Australia in Visakhapatnam, former Aussie speedster Brett Lee has urged India to pick Umran Malik in the XI for the third ODI. The two cricketing powerhouses are set to collide in the decider on March 22 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

The Men in Blue had a forgettable outing in the second ODI after Mitchell Starc restricted the side to a meagre 117 runs with a sensational five-for (5/53). Adding to the India’s miseries, the tourists scaled the paltry total in just 11 overs courtesy of unbeaten knocks from Mitchell Marsh (66 runs) and Travis Head (51 runs).

Leading into the final ODI, Lee opined on the inclusion of speedster Umran in the XI for the series decider. He further added that the management will need to experiment the pacer in the ‘deep end’ to garner more experience.

“He would have been the first pick in my team because 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 told Sports Tak.

Brett Lee backs Umran Malik for Test cricket

The former Aussie cricketer has never shied away from supporting the India pacer as he has previously backed him to feature in the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia. Lee further added that he favours Umran to play Test cricket and the management should include him in the 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,” he added.

Despite the prolonged absence of Jasprit Bumrah, India have performed fairly well with Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj and Umran among others. However, the Jammu & Kashmir pacer is yet to don the whites and it remains to be seen when he will feature in Test cricket.