IND vs SL 2023: Umran Malik may not have T20 cricket as his best format – Wasim Jaffer

Former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer has predicted that Umran Malik might not enjoy great success in the shortest format of the game. Malik has hogged the limelight for his express pace and he has shown the potential to go a long way in his career.

The gun speedster from Jammu and Kashmir had a breakthrough season for SunRisers Hyderabad in IPL 2022 as he scalped 22 wickets in 14 matches but conceded his runs at an economy rate of 9.03. After impressing one and all in the IPL, Malik received a maiden call-up for the series against South Africa but made his T20I debut against Ireland.

Malik took two wickets in three T20Is he played but conceded his runs at a high economy rate of 12.44 and thus he was dropped from the World Cup plans.

Wasim Jaffer wants Harshal Patel to get his chances in the three-match series against Sri Lanka as he feels the all-rounder can provide a better balance to the team. Patel was included in the World Cup squad but didn’t get his chances in the final XI.

Wasim Jaffer said on ESPNCricinfo, “I hope Harshal Patel finds a way to make a comeback. Umran Malik may not have T20 cricket as his best format, but nonetheless, he is an exciting talent and this is an exciting season before the IPL.”

“I was tempted to include Umran Malik in my XI because you would like to have a pacer who bowls at 145-150 clicks. But Harshal Patel gives you that experience and also gives depth in batting. You also have Hardik as your seamer and then have 3-4 all-rounders that give you better balance.”

On the other hand, Jaffer reckons Yuzvendra Chahal is going to hold the key for the Indian team. Chahal didn’t get his chance in the T20 World Cup despite performing consistently as the team had backed Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel. The leg-spinner can take wickets in the middle overs, which is his USP.

“Yuzvendra Chahal is crucial for India in the middle-overs as he has the ability to give crucial breakthroughs. Whenever left-handers bat, captains are reluctant to give the ball to a left-arm spinner and similar is the case with off-spinner when right-hander bats. Wankhede’s dimensions are also pretty small and so it is crucial to have a wrist spinner like Chahal.”

The first T20I between India and Sri Lanka will be played on Tuesday in Mumbai.