IND VS SA: Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has reserved the highest respect for the brightest young prospect Umran Malik ahead of the third T20I between India and South Africa.
The former Indian captain added that Umran Malik is the second player he is excited to see after Sachin Tendulkar. Umran Malik is yet to make an international debut for Team India.
The selectors picked him in the squad for the five-match T20I series. The Men in Blue failed to bring the best out of themselves in the first two games of the series.
Proteas made use of the opportunities to better effect. As a result, they emerged as the victorious side in the first two games. They took a dominant 2-0 lead in the ongoing series.
The visitors are just a win away from winning the series. Meanwhile, Sunil Gavaskar added that Umran Malik should play the third T20I against South Africa.
The upcoming game between India and South Africa starts today at Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam.
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IND VS SA: Sunil Gavaskar heaps praise on Umran Malik ahead of third T20I
After losing back-to-back games, Indian team management are expected to make major changes for the must-win encounter against South African cricket team.
It remains to be seen if Umran Malik would make his international debut in the third game. Gavaskar reckons that Team India does not have wicket-taking bowlers in the team besides Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yuzvendra Chahal.
“The last time I got really excited at seeing an Indian player was Sachin Tendulkar. And after that I am excited to see Umran Malik,” said Gavaskar.
“I do believe he should play, but again they might say that let us win the third one and get ourselves in a situation, and then maybe they can think about experimenting,” said the former India batter on Star Sports.
Umran Malik has been a revelation in the fifteenth edition of the Indian Premier League. He drew plaudits for his exceptional bowling performances for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
The 22-year-old paceman accounted for 20 dismissals in the season. More importantly, he also became the youngest Indian to achieve the feat of taking 20 wickets in an IPL season.
