Aiden Markram, the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) captain, said he “doesn’t know what’s going on behind the scenes” when asked about Umran Malik. This after he stated that Malik was a player with the X-factor, one who bowls at 150 km/h.
For a youngster, there could be nothing more damaging than a comment like this from the captain. Malik was the toast of the franchise a year earlier. This time round, he has been benched and for reasons his captain doesn’t seem to know.
Pace, it must be said, is a very rare skill. You either have it or you don’t. Malik has the pace. To be able to bowl 150 km/h consistently is an incredibly rare talent that could make a huge difference to Indian cricket going forward. Ask any cricketer, and you will be told that a ball coming at that pace is never easy to negotiate. However good you are, it isn’t easy. Malik, who is in his third season, is only expected to get better from here on. Develop more skills and add to his repertoire.
Also Read: Sunrisers’ Poor Handling of Umran Symptom of Bigger Issues
There is no doubt that he is still a work in progress. With him, every now and then, you will get a bouncer which will fly over the keeper’s head for five wides. That is natural and has already happened quite a few times in the tournament. As one who is still raw and striving for pace, these things happen. But when it lands on target, he can send stumps flying. Any day, a captain would take a bowler who gets you 3-40 in his four overs. If there are three such bowlers, you are actually talking about 120-9 in 12 and game almost over. Whatever the format, wickets win you matches.
Malik, not too long ago, was singled out by Dale Steyn as one for the future. A tearaway fast bowler running in is one of the best advertisements for the sport. And when the bowler has a great story, it makes it even better. Malik is a hero in Jammu and Kashmir, a story of triumph amidst all the adversity. He is a “Yes we can” story, and that’s the kind of impact you want to see sports have on lives. For the sake of Indian cricket and, more importantly Indian society, one hopes Malik gets his mojo back and gets better from here on.
It could even be said that Malik has the potential to be a Rashid Khan equivalent for aspiring youngsters from Jammu and Kashmir. A beacon of hope and, more importantly, a torch-bearer. People have suffered a lot in that part of India, and need Malik-like success stories. And each time the camera has focussed on him, he has a smile on his face as if to suggest that he is enjoying himself despite not having the best of times. That’s the most important thing. You need to enjoy what you are doing, and not complicate things. It is a sport after all, and unless you enjoy being in the moment, success can run away from you very fast. In 2022, Malik could do no wrong. The early signs were all good. He even made a case for inclusion in India’s T20 side, and did not do too badly either.
2023, however, has challenged him. Sport usually does. But that’s where the franchise needs to stand up for the player. Take care of him and protect him. Give him the confidence that all is not lost. For the player to hear that his captain doesn’t know what’s going on behind the scenes could end up damaging him mentally. It is enough to create self-doubt and throw him off-balance. It could even impact his mental health adversely.
While we know that the IPL is a business, there has to be more to it than just returns on investment. Talented young men like Malik need to be treated better, for that’s how they will learn to deal with failure. SRH, which has ended the competition with the wooden spoon, has had the most forgettable season of all. But what could have a long-term impact on the franchise is how it treats its players going forward. To turn things around in 2024, Sunrisers will need Malik. That’s the only way they can have a better season. But if Malik’s experience is any guide, Hyderabad have been found badly wanting off the field as well.