BCCI President Sourav Ganguly is one of the many former cricketers and experts to back Sunrisers Hyderabad pacer Umran Malik. The former India captain on Wednesday said that the Kashmir-based bowler would be around for a long time, if he manages to stay fit. 

Malik has bowled the fastest delivery this season, 157 kmph bullet, which is also the second-fastest in the tournament’s history. The 22-year-old created history by winning the ‘fastest delivery of the match’ award for the 14 consecutive times. He finished IPL 2022 with 22 wickets in 14 matches at a strike rate of 13.57 and an economy rate of 9.03 rpo. 

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Owing to his brilliant run in the season, Malik received his maiden India call-up. He was included in the national squad for the five-match T20I series against South Africa, which starts on June 9. 

“The whole country is proud (of Umran). The government will take care of his training and other facilities,” Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha told reporters after meeting Malik on Tuesday. 

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Several cricketers and experts, including former India coach Ravi Shastri, have backed Malik, describing him as the future of Indian cricket. 

“I think the association with the Indian team is absolute right. He can be groomed properly. On current form, they might just play him. If he is bowling well in the nets and doing the right things, they might unleash him at the earliest against South Africa,” Shastri said on ESPNcricinfo show ‘T20 Time Out’.

BCCI President Sourav Ganguly, too, said that Malik can stay in the Indian circuit for a long time. 

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 “His future is in his hands. If he stays fit and bowls at this pace, I’m sure he will be around for a long time,” the former Indian skipper said.

Ganguly further praised other youngsters who did well in IPL 2022. 

“Many have played well in this IPL. Tilak (Varma) has done well for Mumbai Indians. Rahul (Tripathi) for Sunrisers, Tewatia for Gujarat Titans. We have seen many emerging fast bowlers like Umran Malik, Mohsin Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan… It’s a place where talent gets exposure,” he added.