On Sunday, Kolkata Knigth Riders defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad by 6 wickets in their 13th outing of the ongoing UAE leg of Indian Premier League 2021.
The 21-year-old Umran Malik who was roped in by SRH as a short-term replacement for T Natarajan, who had tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of Hyderabad’s encounter against Delhi Capitals on September 22. Malik is the fourth cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to play in the IPL. He made his T20 debut for Jammu and Kashmir during the 2020-21 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, in January this year.
Malik while debuting against the Knight Riders on Sunday, clocked a delivery at 151.03 kmph and impressed all.
KKR and New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson has bowled the fastest delivery of the IPL 2021 - clocking 152.75 kph. Meanwhile, Mohammed Siraj till now was the fastest Indian bowler clocking 145.97 kmph in IPL.
Umran impressed all with his brilliant pace. Fans and many took to social media to praise the young cricketer.
Good to see a young man like Umran Malik with some serious pace about him.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 3, 2021
Umran Malik…impressive first over and has already bowled the fastest ball by an Indian in #IPL2021 👏👏
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 3, 2021
Heartiest congratulations to Umran Malik on IPL debut today from the Sunrisers Hyderabad Team. You have made the entire Jammu Kashmir proud. You are the inspiration for many young cricketers. Best wishes for your cricket career ahead. pic.twitter.com/Aau4ZcGNKh
— Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) October 3, 2021
Although, Hyderabad lost the match by 6 wickets against Kolkata, skipper Williamson praised the young cricketer at the post-match presentation too. “He (Malik) has been bowling really quick in the nets and it’s really nice for him to get an opportunity today,” he said.
After 10 lost games from 12 played, SRH is currently languishing at the bottom of the IPL 2021 points table with just 4 points.