Photo Courtesy : IPL Twitter

Xtra Time Web Desk : Sunrisers Hyderabad’s pacer Umran Malik on Monday hogged the limelight as he bowled the fastest delivery in the ongoing IPL 2022 season. Malik clocked 152.4 kph during the IPL match against Lucknow Super Giants at DY Patil stadium. In fact, the fast bowler from Jammu & Kashmir delivered four deliveries above the 150kmph mark in the game.

In the 14th over of the Lucknow Super Giant’s innings, Malik bowled the fastest delivery to Deepak Hooda who used the pace for a boundary. The 22-year-old bowled three more deliveries over 150 kph mark in the match.

Malik was one of the three players retained by Sunrisers Hyderabad before the start of IPL 2022 season. Malik and his state teammate Abdul Samad were both retained for INR 4 Crore. Last season in IPL, Malik received rave reviews on his bowling from former India captain Virat Kohli and former India head coach Ravi Shastri.

However, what the talented pacer is lacking is his accuracy. The fast bowler hasn’t consistently bowled the line and lengths. In the first match against Rajasthan Royals, Umran was hit for 39 in four overs for two wickets while against LSG, he conceded 39 in three overs at 13.00 an over. With former South African fast bowler Dale Steyn who is also the fast-bowling coach of SRH, Umran will only develop his skills.

The last few years saw a steady rise in Umran Malik’s career. The Jammu and Kashmir bowler hadn't played with a cricket ball until he was 17. Since making his IPL debut last season, Umran was picked as a net bowler for India at T20 World Cup held in UAE last year.

Hailing from a modest family in Jammu's Gujjar Nagar, Umran Malik’s major weapon is pace.He can also generate swing into right-hand batters, and likes the bouncer. The youngster is working to improve his skills, and is focusing on his yorker. With more experience Umran will only get better as a bowler which will benefit Indian cricket in the coming years.