Jammu and Kashmir’s pace sensation, Umran Malik, is set to miss the first phase of the Ranji Trophy 2024 due to a hip injury. The 24-year-old speedster, known for his blistering pace, has been sidelined for a period of four to six weeks, which means he is unlikely to take part in the tournament’s initial games starting on October 11.
According to reports from K Sports Watch, the Jammu and Kashmir team will likely replace Malik with either Waseem Bashir or Umar Nazir for the opening matches. This is the latest in a series of injury setbacks for the pacer, who had been hoping to make a significant impact in domestic cricket after enduring a frustrating period due to injuries.
Injury Woes Continue for Malik
Umran Malik’s red-ball career has seen numerous disruptions recently. He was initially expected to play in the 2024 Duleep Trophy, having been named in Team C under Ruturaj Gaikwad’s captaincy. However, Malik was forced to withdraw from the tournament after contracting dengue, further compounding his injury troubles. Prior to this, he had also been recovering from a hamstring injury sustained during the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL), where he represented SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH).
Speaking about his injury struggles in an interview with The Indian Express in August, Malik said, “Unfortunately, even that didn’t go the way I wanted. But it also gave me the time to work on things I wanted to in the practice sessions. I’ve definitely become a better bowler if you ask me.” He further expressed frustration over how his injuries, including a hamstring issue and subsequent bout with dengue, disrupted his rhythm.
A Promising Start, but Challenges Ahead
Malik’s career skyrocketed after a stellar 2022 IPL season, where his express pace and wicket-taking ability earned him his maiden call-up to the Indian national team. However, his performances since then have been underwhelming. His recent IPL campaigns were far from his early success, and he is currently not part of India’s plans in any format.
In terms of first-class cricket, Malik has played 12 matches, claiming 16 wickets at an average of 44.62. His last appearance in the Ranji Trophy came in February 2024. Despite his evident raw pace, Malik has struggled with consistency, a key area he must improve to become a permanent fixture in either India’s red-ball or white-ball squads.
Road to Recovery
With this latest setback, Malik will now be racing against time to recover in hopes of participating in Jammu and Kashmir’s white-ball fixtures later in the year. His return to full fitness and form will be crucial, as the team and fans are eager to see the young speedster bounce back and fulfill his potential.
Malik’s injury issues have raised concerns among cricket experts, who have often emphasized the importance of domestic tournaments like the Ranji Trophy for players like him to build form and confidence. A strong showing in the domestic circuit could be the revival Malik needs to get back into the national selectors’ radar.
As the Jammu and Kashmir team prepares for the Ranji Trophy without one of their key players, all eyes will be on how Malik manages his recovery and his prospects of making a successful comeback later in the season.
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