Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has recently advocated for the inclusion of fast bowler Umran Malik in the Indian cricket team’s Test lineup. Manjrekar’s recommendation comes after witnessing England’s Mark Wood’s exceptional performance during the third Ashes Test. In light of Wood’s hostile and accurate fast bowling, Manjrekar believes that India could benefit from the raw pace offered by a talent like Umran Malik.
During the third Ashes Test, Mark Wood displayed exceptional pace and aggression that troubled the Australian batsmen. With the exception of Mitchell Marsh, the Australian lineup struggled to handle Wood’s sheer pace. Wood’s remarkable comeback to Test cricket was marked by a well-deserved five-wicket haul, playing a vital role in England’s dismissal of Australia for 263 runs on the opening day. The lively pitch at Headingley provided an ideal setting for Wood to unleash short and sharp spells, yielding favorable outcomes.
Recognizing the significance of raw pace, particularly in dismantling the opposition’s lower order, Sanjay Manjrekar took to Twitter to express his viewpoint. He highlighted the advantage that extra pace brings to a Test bowling attack, citing Wood’s ability to prevent the tail from wagging. In light of this, Manjrekar suggested that India should consider someone like Umran Malik, an emerging talent, who could provide a similar impact.
As the Indian cricket team prepares for an upcoming two-match Test series against the West Indies, several adjustments have been made to the bowling attack. However, the current lineup does not feature Umran Malik, and the fastest bowler in the unit is Mohammed Siraj. Other options include Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, and Jaydev Unadkat. While these bowlers possess their unique skills, Manjrekar believes that Malik’s raw pace could bring an added dimension to India’s bowling arsenal.
