J&K’s Fast-Bowling Phenomenon: The Rise and Fall of Umran Malik

Young Indian bowling sensation Umran Malik rose to fame from almost nowhere during a 2021 IPL match, where he impressed one and all by bowling at speeds rarely seen in the history of Indian cricket.

While most of the fast bowlers from India make news for touching 150 kmph even once in their careers, Umran averaged that speed in a single spell.

Umran Malik: A Meteoric Rise in Indian Cricket

Umran’s fiery bowling spell came during the RCB vs. SRH match. Malik’s spell amazed the Royal Challengers Bangalore captain and helped Sunrisers Hyderabad win that night, though it didn’t turn around their season. In just three games, he bowled the five fastest deliveries of the season, including a 156.9 kph rocket.

He gave Indian cricket fans hope, as they had never seen one of their bowls with such consistent speed. After all, the pace is pace.

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Umran Malik hails from Jammu & Kashmir, a state not known for strong domestic cricket teams. He was discovered by chance when India Under-19 selectors, visiting the Vaishno Devi Shrine, saw him bowling on a cement pitch nearby.

In April 2021, the Sunrisers Hyderabad brought him in as a net bowler. At that time, he had only played one T20 and one List A match professionally.

Over the years, the Sunrisers focused on building their bowling attack around Indian seamers, backing players like Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Ishant Sharma, and investing in Sandeep Sharma, T Natarajan, Siddarth Kaul, Khaleel Ahmed, and Basil Thampi. They didn’t hesitate to add Umran to their squad. If not for the COVID-19 delay splitting the season, his debut would have come earlier than October.

Breaking Through: First-Class Debut with India A

Umran’s impressive IPL performance quickly caught the attention of selectors, leading to his first-class debut for India A in South Africa later that year. In the first unofficial “Test” against South Africa A, he bowled 21 overs for figures of 1/90 but wasn’t picked for the remaining two matches. In his first domestic first-class season, he took six wickets in two games, averaging 33.17.

Despite this, his full IPL season left no doubts about his remarkable speed. Playing all 14 matches, he conceded runs at 9.03 per over but claimed 22 wickets, making him the fourth-highest wicket-taker of the season and the second-highest among fast bowlers.

Umran made his T20 debut but didn’t make the T20 World Cup squad. On India's New Zealand tour, he took 7 wickets in 3 T20Is and 3 in 2 ODIs, though he was expensive. In 8 T20Is, Umran has 11 wickets at 22.09 and an economy of 10.48. His strike rate is the best among Indian fast bowlers since 2012, but his economy is the worst.

In ODIs, his strike rate is good, but his economy of 6.54 is one of the worst for Indian bowlers with 10 wickets. He’s a strike bowler, giving up runs for wickets.

Being dropped from international teams didn’t help Umran Malik. During this time, other fast bowlers performed well, and injuries made things harder for him.

In the 2023 IPL, he played only eight matches, with an economy rate of 10.85. In 2024, he bowled just one over, giving away 15 runs, though it was during a high-scoring game. His overall stats aren’t very impressive so far. He has taken 16 first-class wickets at an average of 44.62, 15 wickets in List A matches at 41.80 with an economy of 6.62, and his T20 economy rate is 9.10.

Looking Ahead: Aiming for Glory with KKR and Team India

India fast bowler Umran Malik is thrilled to join Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for the Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025). KKR picked Malik at his base price of INR 75 lakh during the IPL 2025 mega auction after he was released by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) ahead of the event.

Following two underwhelming seasons, Malik is determined to make a strong comeback and contribute to KKR’s bid for their second consecutive title this season.

"I am really happy to join KKR this season. I am so, so excited to don the KKR jersey. I just can't wait. They are the defending champions, and I am sure they will win another title this season. I am grateful and thankful to them for giving me this chance," Umran told TimesofIndia.com.

Malik also gave an update on his fitness, declaring himself “200 percent fit” and promising fans a transformed version of himself in the upcoming season. He also spoke about his ambition to return to the Indian team.

 "I am confident about getting plenty of opportunities this time with KKR. I am 200 percent fit and raring to go. You will see a different Umran Malik this time. I want to perform well in the IPL and make a comeback to the Indian side. The IPL has been a massive platform for most cricketers, including me," he added.

Umran last played for India in the second ODI against West Indies in July 2023 and has been out of the squad since. The Jammu & Kashmir pacer has 13 wickets from 10 ODIs and 11 wickets from 8 T20Is in his international career. In the IPL, he has claimed 29 wickets in 26 matches but has yet to fully showcase his potential. Malik is eager to change that in the upcoming season.