Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) lost their ninth game IPL 2023 on Thursday (May 18). RCB beat them comfortably by 8 wickets thanks to a brilliant century Virat Kohli In the chase of 187 runs. But more than loss, SRH skipper aiden markramA lot of questions have been raised on the statement made for young fast bowler Umran Malik. Malik hasn’t played for SRH since April 29 and last played against Delhi Capitals in his comeback. He has missed four matches since then and there is no update from the franchise or team management regarding the player.
Markram distanced himself from questions about Umran Malik’s omission at the toss ahead of the SRH vs RCB game on Thursday. He mentioned that Umran is an X-factor bowler but admitted that he is unaware of what is happening behind the scenes with the youngster.
Markram said during the toss, “Definitely, he is a player with the X-factor, bowls at 150 kmph, but I don’t really know what is behind the scenes, but he has got a lot of X.” -Factor.” This statement by the SRH skipper has raised many eyebrows with many questioning how a captain can get to know about a player who is not in the playing XI.
Former India cricketer Zaheer Khan feels that SRH haven’t handled the young bowler well this season. “I felt Umran Malik was not handled well by the franchise, (in) the way he should have been handled, (in) the way his services should have been utilized by SRH. It was something like Which was obvious. When you are talking about a young seamer, you are also looking at that environment and support. And, that guidance is needed. Unfortunately he was not seen by SRH.
Notably, Umran Malik won the ‘Emerging Player of the Season’ in IPL 2022 and was one of the players retained by SRH for INR 4 crore. He has taken four wickets in seven matches this season and has gone wicketless in the last three matches.