• Home
  • Who Said What
  • Biggest Advantage Is Pace But Rp Singh Points Out A Loophole In Umran Malik

'Biggest Advantage Is Pace, But…' - RP Singh Points Out a Loophole in Umran Malik

image-lknon3orUmran Malik | Source: Twitter

The Jammu pacer Umran Malik was fast-tracked into the India national side thanks to his ability to consistently bowl at a high pace. However, he is yet to make a significant impact with his performance. The saying goes that pace can be a potent ally for pacers, but it can also be a formidable foe. Umran Malik's journey underscores this fact, as his blistering pace has had its share of ups and downs.  

Umran's economy rate in T20Is has been on the higher side at 10.48 across eight matches, while in ODIs, it's at 6.41. In the absence of senior pacers in the ongoing ODI series against West Indies, it’s a great opportunity for Umran to make an impact.

During the series opener against West Indies, Umran's pace did trouble the batters at times, but it wasn’t threatening at all. Weighing in on the same, the former India pacer RP Singh stated that Umran’s biggest asset is his pace but he has to develop his skills and learn how to trap batters.


Here’s what RP Singh said:

"I will still say, his biggest advantage is his pace. The problem is the skill. The (ball) movement isn't much right now, and planning the game (needs to improve). You also have to set batters up. He hasn't learnt that as quickly as he should have. He concedes run, that remains the biggest worry. So, the Indian team needs to know how and when to use him." 

RP Singh feels that Umran will be in contention for the ODI World Cup scheduled in a couple of months. For India to unleash his true potential, they should give him regular game opportunities and let him bowl extensively so that he can learn about his weaknesses and work on refining his skills before the grand event.


Umran Should Stick to Seam Deliveries Only: RP Singh

The Uttar Pradesh pacer also pointed out that in the first ODI against West Indies, Umran relied very much on cross-seam deliveries and to improve his bowling, Singh advised him to concentrate on seam deliveries instead.  

"He was bowling cross-seam deliveries quite a lot, that could have been avoided. His pace was good but he bowled only three overs, which I felt were less. He could’ve been given more overs. Rohit opted to give the ball to Kuldeep instead."


"He was relying on cross-seam, maybe to find reverse. I think he should stick to seam only. I don’t find any major problem right now. If he gets 7-8 overs in a game with some consistent spells, he will be more aware of how his body is reacting, and whether he is in rhythm or not."

Umran went wicketless in the first ODI as India clinched a five-wicket victory over West Indies. The Men in Blue will now shift their focus to the second ODI on Saturday, July 29 at Barbados, aiming to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.