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.
Mayank Yadav, a debutant for the Lucknow Super Giants, has made his mark in the IPL with his lightning-fast deliveries. His thunderbolt at 155.8 kph tops the charts and has earned him the title of the fastest bowler of the season. He also ranks second among the fastest Indian pacers in the IPL's history. Along with other international players, Yadav is proving to be a formidable force in the tournament.
The annual BCCI central contracts for the senior men's team for the period of October 2023 to September 2024 have been announced, with KL Rahul, Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj moving up to Grade A. Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer, however, have not been included in the list of 30 contracted players. The Selection Committee also recommended fast-bowling contracts for Akash Deep, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Umran Malik, Yash Dayal and Vidwath Kaverappa, along with a pro-rata inclusion in Grade C for players who meet the specified criteria.