Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar has said Umran Malik deserves to be in the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup in Australia, adding that it’s important to give an opportunity to a pacer who is in form and raring to go.
Umran was handed a maiden India call-up for the T20I series against South Africa at home earlier this month. However, the Jammu and Kashmir pacer warmed the benches, without getting an opportunity in any of the 5 matches.
Umran is also part of the Hardik Pandya-led Indian team which is set to play 2 T20Is in Ireland on June 26 and 28.
“I hope he gets chance because he (Umran) is a very exciting talent. He did well in the IPL and he deserves a chance as he looked the best bowler in the format. I hope he is on the plane and I am sure he will do well if given an opportunity,” Vengsarkar said in Mumbai.
“He (Umran) is young and raring to go. You must give an opportunity to someone who is in form. He is young, keen to play and hungry for success,” added the former national chairman of selectors,” he added.
Umran faces stiff competition for a spot in the T20 World Cup squad as India have several quality pacers, including Bhuvnehwar Kumar, Avesh Khan, Harshal Patel along with all-format star Jasprit Bumrah. Young left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh, who is travelling with the T20I side, is also in contention along with Deepak Chahar, who is recovering from a hamstring injury that ruled him out of IPL 2022.
