Umran Malik, the
young speedster from Jammu and Kashmir, who played his debut Indian Premier
League (IPL) game for SunRisers Hyderabad last week has bowled the fastest ball
in this edition of the tournament — a whopping 153 kmph. Malik bowled the doozy
against the match against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Wednesday.

Also Read | IPL 2021: SunRisers Hyderabad beat Royal Challengers Bangalore by 4 runs

Umran Malik was
inducted into the SRH squad as a replacement to T Natarajan who could not play
after testing positive for COVID-19. Malik came into the playing XI by
replacing Sandeep Sharma with his raw pace.

Before Malik, New
Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson had bowled the fastest delivery of IPL 2021
clocking 152.75 kmph.

Also Read | RCB’s Harshal Patel sets record of most wickets by Indian bowler in an IPL season

Umran Malik’s pace has impressed several cricket experts. Commentator and expert Harsha Bhogle wrote on Twitter: “Something about pace that has you on the edge of your seat. Umran Malik isn’t just a tearaway. He looks a proper bowler and we need to look after him.” Bhogle even tagged former India cricketer Irfan Pathan asking if there are more like Umran Malik in Jammu and Kashmir. 

Former England Captain Michael Vaughn tweeted this wowed message on the platform. 

Former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer shared this meme after Umran Malik’s feat: 

Aakash Chopra had this to say: 

Umran, who has had a splendid IPL so far, has enthused not only his teammates, but his family and his town as well. Earlier in the day, Umran’s father told India Today, “My son got inclined to cricket when he was just 3 years old. He always dreamt of becoming a professional cricketer. We were so happy when he was picked up in the playing XI by SunRisers Hyderabad.”

Wednesday was a night to remember for Umran Malik as he picked up his maiden IPL wicket. Malik bowled a short ball to KS Bharat who gloved it and the ball went straight to Wriddhiman Saha, the wicket-keeper.