Umran Malik a young pace sensation took 22 wickets, including a five-wicket haul in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022.
The 22-year-old is a part of the Indian squad for the five-match T20I series against South Africa. Former India coach Ravi Shastri feels Umran is not yet ready to play the World Cup for India.
Shastri went vocal about Umran’s inclusion on the national team. But as far as playing the global event is concerned, Shastri gave a direct answer.
“No, not T20 as yet. Groom him and take him along with the team. If anything, let him play white-ball cricket and maybe Test cricket. Groom him in the red-ball cricket and then see how it goes,” he told ESPNCricinfo.New Zealand great Daniel Vettori agreed with Shastri’s opinion and felt Umran shouldn’t be hurried into the World Cup.
“He should always be around the Indian team, but the management must be patient with him. I don’t think he has leapfrogged any of the fast bowlers that are the first choice, but his time will come,” said Vettori.