

Umran Malik, the young pacer from Jammu & Kashmir, has gone through a rollercoaster ride in his professional cricket career. After an impressive debut in the IPL and for the national team, Malik's performance in the subsequent years declined, leading to limited opportunities. As the IPL mega auction approaches, the 25-year-old talks about his preparations and expectations, while also discussing the improvements and growth in Jammu & Kashmir cricket. He also credits former mentor Justin Langer for his contributions towards boosting the younger players in the state.
Umran Malik: The Rise, Fall, and Resurgence of a Lightning-Fast Pacer
Umran Malik, the young speedster from Jammu & Kashmir, has been a constant feature of headlines over the past few years. His meteoric rise from relative obscurity to the national team was followed by a period of decline, but he is now poised for a resurgence as the IPL mega auction looms.
Early Career and IPL Debut
Malik began his professional cricket career in 2019 after impressing for his state team, Jammu & Kashmir. His remarkable pace and natural talent caught the eye of selectors, and he was drafted into the Sunrisers Hyderabad squad for the 2021 Indian Premier League (IPL).
In his debut IPL season, Malik made an immediate impact with his blistering deliveries. He consistently clocked over 150 kmph and became a favorite among fans. His performances earned him a call-up to the Indian national team, where he made his debut in a T20I match against Ireland in June 2022.
Decline and Loss of Form
However, Malik's impressive start to his international career did not last long. In the subsequent years, his performances dipped, and he found himself struggling for opportunities both with the national team and in the IPL. Critics cited his inconsistent line and length, as well as his inability to control his pace.
Justin Langer's Mentorship and Jammu & Kashmir's Growth
Despite his recent struggles, Malik remains one of the most promising young pacers in India. He credits former Australian coach Justin Langer for playing a significant role in his development. Langer, who worked with Jammu & Kashmir cricket for a brief period in 2022, introduced new training methods and instilled a sense of professionalism within the state team.
According to Malik, Langer's guidance has helped to improve the overall quality of cricket in Jammu & Kashmir, particularly among the younger players. The state has produced several talented cricketers in recent years, including pacers Mujtaba Yousuf and Yamin Dar, who have represented India at the youth level.
IPL Mega Auction and Return to Form
As the IPL mega auction approaches, Malik is preparing for a fresh start. He has been training hard and is determined to prove his worth to potential suitors. He believes that a strong performance in the IPL could be the catalyst for his return to the Indian team.
Top 5 FAQs Related to Umran Malik
Q1: How fast can Umran Malik bowl? A1: Malik has consistently clocked over 150 kmph, with his最快上传速度达到157公里/小时。
Q2: Why did Umran Malik's performance decline? A2: Malik's decline has been attributed to inconsistencies in line and length, as well as difficulties controlling his pace.
Q3: Who was Umran Malik's mentor? A3: Justin Langer, the former Australian coach, played a significant role in Umran Malik's development during his brief tenure working with Jammu & Kashmir cricket.
Q4: What is Umran Malik's goal for the upcoming IPL season? A4: Malik aims to perform strongly in the IPL and prove his worth to potential suitors, hoping that it will lead to a recall to the Indian team.
Q5: What is the current status of cricket in Jammu & Kashmir? A5: Jammu & Kashmir cricket has shown improvement in recent years, with the state producing several talented young players, including pacers Mujtaba Yousuf and Yamin Dar, who have represented India at the youth level.

An Indian Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas was performing a mid-air manoeuvre at the Dubai Airshow when it suddenly flipped and lost control, crashing into the ground and leaving the pilot, Wing Commander Namansh Syal, dead. The incident was captured on camera and has since gone viral. Emergency crews responded to the scene and a court of inquiry is underway to determine the cause of the accident. The Indian Air Force has expressed deep regret and stands with the pilot's family during this difficult time.

The Indian Air Force suffered a tragic loss at the Dubai Airshow when Wing Commander Namansh Syal, a highly skilled and respected pilot, died during a routine aerobatic display. The Tejas fighter jet, which Syal was flying, failed to regain altitude after executing a barrel roll and crashed in front of an international audience. Experts believe that a slight miscalculation during the manoeuvre may have been the cause of the crash. The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh expressed his grief and praised Syal as a brave and courageous pilot, highlighting the sacrifice made by this young officer in service of his country.

South Africa emerged victorious in the first Test against India with a thrilling 30-run win, taking a 0-1 lead in the multi-format series. Captain Temba Bavuma expressed his excitement after the win and talked about his personal record when playing in India. He also mentioned the team's strategy to exploit the conditions and credited his own adaptability for his performance in the match. With this much-needed win, South Africa has announced its presence in the series with a strong statement.

After South Africa's victory over India in the first Test, Bumrah made a point to approach Bavuma and clear the air about their 'bauna hai' comment, which had sparked a social media uproar. The Indian pacer's comforting gesture, with his arm around the South African skipper, showed sportsman spirit and brought closure to the issue. Simon Harmer's four-wicket haul and Washington Sundar's lone resistance of 31 runs were the highlights of the match.

South Africa pulled off a remarkable victory against India in the first Test of the two-match series, with Simon Harmer taking eight wickets. India, missing their key batsman Shubman Gill, failed to chase down 124 runs as they were bowled out for 93. South Africa's skipper Temba Bavuma also played a crucial role, scoring an unbeaten 55 to guide his team to victory on a challenging pitch.

India's Captain Shubman Gill sustained a neck injury while batting in the first test against South Africa, and was forced to leave the field midway through the match. After being ruled out of the first test, team coach Gautam Gambhir stated that Gill's availability for the second test will be determined after the physio's assessment. In Gill's absence, Rishabh Pant took charge of the team and led them to a shocking defeat against the visitors. With the series tied at 1-0, the Indian team will have to make a comeback in the second test, for which Gill's availability is uncertain.

Punjab Kings, one of the most consistent teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL), have surprised the fans and experts by releasing star players Josh Inglis and Glenn Maxwell ahead of the next month's auction. The duo, along with three other players, were not retained by the franchise despite their impressive performances in the last season. Sharing the reason behind the decision, head coach Ricky Ponting revealed that the availability of Inglis for the entire tournament was the main concern.

With 17 key players retained, including captain Axar Patel and overseas stars Mitchell Starc and Tristan Stubbs, Delhi Capitals are gearing up for the IPL 2026 auction. The team is looking to strengthen their squad with five overseas players and a pace-bowling all-rounder, an opening partner for KL Rahul, a middle-overs backup batter for Stubbs, and a couple of domestic options. The Capitals are confident in their coaching team and scouting network's ability to identify the right talent to complement their core group. Co-owner Kiran Kumar Grandhi and Parth Jindal express excitement for an exciting auction and building a balanced team for the upcoming season.

In a surprising move, Kolkata Knight Riders have parted ways with one of their biggest players, Andre Russell, right before the team retentions. Russell, who has been an important member of the team since 2014, will now enter the auction in mid-December. Meanwhile, the Chennai Super Kings have also been making headlines with their trades and releases, including parting ways with young talent Matheesha Pathirana. Stay tuned for more updates.

The Chennai Super Kings are shaking up their squad as they prepare for the upcoming IPL season with the release of young Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana. While the team may be looking to get him back at a lower price in the mini auction, his recent performance and a change in bowling action may have prompted the decision. This move also gives CSK an extra Rs 13 crore in their budget as they look to build a stronger squad.