Specific pacer Umran Malik has began dreaming of sporting India colors once more after coming back from an harm lay-off, and for that he banks on his inherent capability to breach 150 kmph barrier and the brand new add-ons like slower balls and a sharper yorker.
Malik has been away from the Indian workforce since July 2023 for a number of causes after taking 24 wickets throughout 10 ODIs and eight T20Is, however the setbacks haven’t affected his spirit.
“Let me inform you one factor. Those that bowl 150 usually are not strike bowlers, they’re attacking bowlers. They are going to be hit for 30 (runs) in 4 (overs) however may also offer you wickets. A quick bowler is like that. He ought to know what he has to do,” Umran advised choose media after J&Ok’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match in opposition to Uttar Pradesh right here on Friday.
“A bowler who bowls at 150 is aware of that he’s a king and he has to again himself. Not everybody can bowl 150kph. It takes actual guts to bowl at 150kph and I’ve been doing this for the final 5 years,” he added.
He careworn that bowling at that tempo is just not one thing one can obtain with exhausting work.
“Bowling 150kph is an artwork, you’ll be able to’t go straight from 137 to 145. Do coaching, do no matter you need — that is pure, that is all pure.
“It’s good to practice your self accordingly, eat correctly, relaxation correctly, maintain your physique contemporary so that you simply’re prepared for the method tomorrow.
“Velocity is my pure facet, how can I compromise on that? Coaching, working, cardio –you have to keep up. There is no such thing as a particular weight loss program. Tempo is my energy. I’ve to regain my energy.”
‘I’m the one one who bowls 150’
Umran, who clocked 156.7kph in IPL 2024, however has since battled a number of accidents and sickness, stated he by no means doubted his capability or his future.
“It isn’t that I’ll really feel dangerous mentally. I do know that I’ll do nicely now. I’ll come again to the India workforce. I’ve confidence in myself as a result of I’m the one one who bowls at 150.
“However now I’m bowling slower (balls) as nicely, which I’m engaged on, and in addition the yorker. I’m doing that in red-ball codecs too, I’m working exhausting there.
“The remaining is as much as the selectors after they let me play. I’m doing higher now. Taking part in once more for India is my intention now,” he stated.
Getting a spot within the rich-in-talent Indian white ball bowling unit was not simple, however Umran remained unfazed.
“After I was taking part in earlier, there was this a lot competitors. Now additionally the competitors is similar. I don’t suppose there may be any competitors.
“When I’m absolutely match and take wickets like this, why received’t they let me play? They are going to let me play if I take wickets. That’s it.”
Small targets
The 26-year-old pacer stated his speedy purpose is straightforward — being the very best wicket-taker for J&Ok in SMAT.
“I’ve a easy goal: to play all matches (for his house state) and change into the very best wicket-taker for my workforce in Syed Mushtaq Ali.” Umran already has 5 wickets from two matches, together with 3/37 in opposition to UP the place he dismissed Aryan Juyal, Karan Sharma and Rinku Singh, troubling them with uncooked tempo.
Accidents are an element and parcel for somebody who places his physique on the road to bowl at 150 clicks, however Umran stated the setbacks have solely deepened the understanding of his physique and sport.
“Anybody can get injured. Any batsman, bowler, fielder, anybody can get injured. You simply need to know the best way to get out of it.” Requested whether or not he ever feared for his profession, he stated: “I by no means take into consideration my profession. I take into consideration what I’ve to do the following day, what coaching I’ve to do — bowling, batting, fielding. It’s all in God’s arms who has a profession and who doesn’t.” Umran missed the whole 2024-25 home season and IPL 2025 as a consequence of recurring harm and sickness.
He spent six months on the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru and has additionally educated with Abhishek Nayar, the present head coach of Kolkata Knight Riders.
Umran ultimately made his comeback to aggressive cricket within the Ranji Trophy in a match in opposition to Rajasthan after almost 17 months.
However Umran stated he tried to stay in a constructive mindset throughout this powerful section.
“In case your mindset is secure, I feel you’ll carry out higher after the harm. It feels good now that the ball is coming properly out of my hand. When a bowler has full rhythm after an harm, I feel it’s best for him.
“I feel harm additionally teaches you lots of issues… your mindset, your physique, what to do. If we play cricket for 10 years, there will probably be accidents. You need to maintain your mindset robust. You need to maintain these individuals with you who’re constructive. You need to avoid unfavorable individuals throughout an harm,” he defined.
Umran dismissed the concept of dropping tempo with age.
“You may by no means bowl at 150 straight. You may bowl 138, 140, 142. It begins like that. I feel that so long as I play, I needs to be constructive. I don’t need to present tempo to anybody. I need to present my wickets.
“Even when I bowl from 150 to 140 after 10 years, it doesn’t imply that I’ll bowl from 150 to 135 or 130.” On his red-ball aspirations, he stated: “There may be nothing totally different. Sure, I’m able to play in all codecs.”
Revealed on Nov 28, 2025