Indian fast bowler Umran Malik is gearing up for the Duleep Trophy 2024 with renewed vigor after recovering from a bout of dengue fever. The 24-year-old pace sensation, who has faced several challenges over the past year, is determined to make a strong comeback in the prestigious domestic tournament.
Dengue Recovery and Tournament Preparation
Malik, who has been a key player for Jammu & Kashmir in domestic cricket, is now fully focused on the upcoming Duleep Trophy, which is scheduled to commence on September 5, 2024. The tournament will be held across two venues: Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh and M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Malik has been named in Team C, led by captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. Other notable players in the squad include India T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav, Sai Sudharsan, and Rajat Patidar.
In a recent statement, Malik expressed his enthusiasm for the tournament and his recovery from dengue. “I am feeling better and now I am fully focused on the preparation of the Duleep Trophy at NCA. I hope to do well this season for my team,” Malik said.
Career Overview and Recent Struggles
Malik first gained prominence during his IPL debut in 2021, where he played three matches and impressed with his pace, regularly exceeding speeds of 150 kph. His breakthrough came in the 2022 IPL season, where he secured 22 wickets in 14 games, earning him a spot in the Indian T20I side during the tour of Ireland later that year. He also made his ODI debut against New Zealand in 2022.
However, Malik’s recent performances have been a cause for concern. In international cricket, he has taken 13 wickets from 10 ODIs at an average of 30.69 and 11 wickets from eight T20Is at 22.09. Despite this, his form has been inconsistent. His last international appearance was in July 2023, and his domestic performances have not been up to par.
In the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy season, Malik struggled, claiming only four wickets in five matches at an average of 38.50. His performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy was also disappointing, with just six wickets from seven matches at an average of 35.83. The Vijay Hazare Trophy was similarly unremarkable, with Malik going wicketless in his only game, conceding 68 runs from eight overs.
Current IPL Form and Future Prospects
In the IPL 2024 season, Malik played only one match and had a challenging outing, leaking 15 runs in a single over. With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy scheduled later this year in Australia, Malik’s pace and bounce could be valuable assets for the Indian team. However, to secure a place in the national setup, Malik needs to deliver consistent performances in the domestic circuit and regain his previous form.
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