IPL 2022 | KKR vs SRH | Umran Malik, a blessing or a curse for SRH?

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will take on the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the 61st match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022. The venue for the match will be the MCA Stadium in Pune.

While SRH is struggling to reach the top 4 of the tournament, they have definitely discovered a sensational talent in Umran Malik. With his sheer pace, the young Indian speedster has taken IPL 2022 by storm. But what has been a concern is his control over line and length and his inconsistency in performances.

While he has been brilliant in some matches in others, he has been ordinary. 

Let us look at how the ‘Jammu Express’ has performed in the matches in IPL 2022.

Performance Indicators:

Green: Impactful Performance

Yellow: Average Performance

Red: Below Par Performance

Vs RR (Match 5): SRH conceded 210 runs in this match in 20 overs. Umran Malik had an average game where he picked up two wickets but conceded 9.8 runs per over.

Performance Indicator: Yellow

Vs LSG (Match 12): In a match where the SRH bowlers conceded runs at a rate of 8.45 runs per over, Malik’s performance was below par. He bowled three overs and conceded 39 runs in them without picking up a wicket.

Performance Indicator: Red

Vs CSK (Match 17):  SRH conceded 154 runs in the match at an economy rate of 7.7 runs per over. Umran bowled three overs in the match; he conceded 29 runs at an economy rate of 9.66 and went wicketless.

Performance Indicator: Red

Vs GT (Match 21): SRH bowlers conceded runs at an economy of 8.1. Malik bowled four overs in the match and gave away 39 runs while picking up the wicket of Matthew Wade.

Performance Indicator: Red

Vs KKR (Match 25): KKR scored 175 runs against the SRH bowlers. Umran Malik looked in great rhythm as he conceded just 27 runs in his four overs at an economy rate of 6.8 and picked up two wickets.

Performance Indicator: Green

Vs PBKS (Match 28): Umran Malik was at the peak of his abilities in this match. He picked up three wickets in the last over of the Punjab innings and restricted them to a total of 151 runs in the 20 overs. His figures read four wickets for 28 runs in 4 overs. His sheer pace and control over line and length impressed everybody.

Performance Indicator: Green

Vs RCB (Match 36): SRH handed over a humiliating defeat to RCB in this match. The SRH bowlers bundled out RCB for a mere 68 runs and won the match by nine wickets. While all the SRH bowlers were looking in great form, Umran Malik played a supporting role to Marco Jansen and T Natarajan in the match. He bowled four overs in the match, conceding 13 runs and picking up a wicket.

Performance Indicator: Green

Vs GT (Match 40): SRH lost the match against GT by five wickets, but Umran Malik was seen breathing fire in the game. He bowled four overs in the match and conceded just 25 runs while picking up five wickets. He was the only wicket-taker for SRH in the match. As a result, he won the Player of the Match award for his performance in a losing cause.

Performance Indicator: Green

Vs CSK (Match 46): SRH bowlers were entirely dominated by CSK’s opening pair, Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad. Malik conceded 48 runs at an economy of 12 in his four overs and failed to pick up a wicket. After a streak of superb performances, it was a disappointing outing for Malik.

Performance Indicator: Red

Vs DC (Match 50): One more match where the SRH bowlers proved costly as they conceded 207 runs in their 20 overs. Malik failed to impress in the match as he conceded 52 runs from 4 overs at an economy rate of 13 runs per over and failed to pick up a wicket.

Performance Indicator: Red

Vs RCB (Match 54): Bangalore settled their score against Hyderabad as they won the match convincingly by 67 runs. In a match where SRH conceded 192 runs in 20 overs, Malik bowled just two overs in the match. He conceded 25 runs and failed to pick up a wicket. His economy rate in the match was 12.5 as he was taken to the cleaners.

Performance Indicator: Red

Conclusion: While the young pacer has threatened the batters with his sheer pace, his control has been an issue. He has picked up 15 wickets in the tournament in 11 matches but has conceded 9.1 runs per over.

His overall performance indicator:

Green: 36.36%

Yellow: 9.09%

Red: 54.54%

54.54% of his performances fall in the red zone, which means he has been below par in more than half of his matches. While his pace is good to watch, his control is something that needs work. As things stand, Malik is yet to prove himself as a blessing for the franchise, he is a young block, and with experience, he will surely be a big thing.