South Africa has a team full of exciting and talented cricketers, and after a strong showing by a number of their players in the recently finished 2022 IPL, the team will be hoping the stars can repeat their performance in the next series against India. The Proteas are preparing for the five-match series against the Men in Blue, which begins on June 9 in New Delhi, but one Indian player has caused some concern for the visitors.

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No player has been a greater talking point in the build-up to India’s five-series T20I match against South Africa than India’s uncapped star Umran Malik. Following a stellar IPL 2022 season, he is one of two players to gain his first India call-up for the T20I series.

Umran, who played for Sunrisers Hyderabad, was the talk of the 15th edition of the competition due to his lightning-fast pace and ability to pick wickets. He took 22 wickets for SRH in 14 games.

In an interview with the press, Temba Bavuma described Umran as a “exciting bowling prospect” for the Indian side and stated that no batter would want to face a bowler who bowls at more than 150kph. Umran has been constantly on target this season, setting a record for the fastest delivery thrown by an Indian bowler in IPL history.

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“Umran Malik is an exciting pace bowling prospect for the Indian team. IPL has been great for the Indian team as they are able to unearth all these fast bowling options,” Bavuma said ahead of his side’s departure to India. I think in South Africa we grow up facing fast bowlers but I don’t think no batter likes to face ball at 150 kmph. But you prepare as well as you can,” the South Africa captain stated.

“We also got guys who can bowl 150 kmph. So we have that weaponry in our arsenal. But Umran Malik is a special talent for Team India and I hope that he could emulate his IPL performance in international cricket,” Bavuma added.

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Bavuma also mentioned how India has the luxury of resting some of its biggest talents. The hosts will be missing Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Shami, who have been given a two-month sabbatical after the IPL.

“We don’t have the luxury to rest players. India may be resting a few players but the guys who are playing are also in good form and are great players. The important thing is to prepare for the World Cup. The guys need to be in a competitive space. And India series will be an important part of the competitive process,” Bavuma further added.