Former Indian opener and now a renowned commentator, Aakash Chopra has criticized the team management for not utilizing pacer Umran Malik effectively during the first ODI against West Indies on Thursday. Despite being included in the playing XI for the series opener, Umran was given only three overs to bowl and unfortunately, he couldn’t manage to take any wickets.
Chopra said that the management is missing the opportunity to fully utilize the potential of Umran Malik. He said that if he is there in the playing XI, he should get more and more overs to bowl. Umran Malik conceded 10 runs in his first over and then he managed to recover well in the next overs where he spent only seven runs but he did not get a single over to bowl after that.
“You kept him but bowled him only three overs. He didn’t pick up a wicket. There was probably an opportunity for him to come and pick up two or three wickets in the end but you didn’t go towards him. Umran Malik – a box that should have been ticked is not ticked,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
Aakash Chopra highlighted an important aspect and said that the selectors are looking at Umran Malik as a backup pacer for the World Cup. He pointed out that despite the management considering him for the role, Umran has not been actively involved in competitive cricket recently. This lack of match practice or playing time could potentially impact his form.
“You have kept this fast bowler, done a slightly left-field selection because he wasn’t with the team for the last little while and his IPL was also extremely middling, but you haven’t kept him in the Asian Games. You are thinking that if Bumrah doesn’t get fit and even if he gets fit, you have got an express pacer,” he added.
