The predictions of many veteran cricketers came true on the evening of Sunday, 22 May 2022, when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced an 18-member squad for the five-match T20 International series against South Africa at home. Sunrisers Hyderabad fast bowler Umran Malik was also named in the team. He was selected for the Indian team for the first time. Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin was also excited by the announcement. He supported the youngster to be part of the Test team as well, but expressed a big concern over it.
22-year-old Umran Malik from Jammu and Kashmir created a storm with his fast bowling in IPL 2022. He has taken 22 wickets in 14 matches at a strike rate of 13.57 and an economy rate of 9.03. After his impressive performance in IPL 2022, Umran was rewarded by being selected for the Indian team. On Monday, 23, former captain of the Indian cricket team, Mohammad Azharuddin, wrote on Twitter that this young player should be selected in the Test team as well, but he feels that his workload should be managed properly. Failure to do so may result in injury.
Mohammad Azharuddin tweeted, ‘Umran Malik deserves to be selected in the Test team, but it is important to manage his workload. Failure to do so may result in injury. Hope he is given the support that an express fast bowler needs. Azharuddin also tagged his tweet on #UmranMalik #IPL2022.
The new face in the Indian team is Punjab Kings fast bowler Arshdeep Singh. Arshdeep Singh has taken just 10 wickets in 14 matches but has impressed the selectors with his death overs bowling. He is only behind Jasprit Bumrah in the best economy rate pacers in IPL 2022 (thrown at least 60 balls).