IND vs NZ: Why is Umran Malik Not Playing Today’s India vs New Zealand 2nd ODI? Check IND Playing XI

Umran Malik IND vs NZ: Umran Malik, India’s premier fast bowler, was a surprise omission from the playing XI in the second ODI against New Zealand. The news of Malik not playing the first match came as a shock to many, as he had been in good form in the recent past and was expected to play a crucial role in the series. India ended up defeating New Zealand by a margin of 12 runs in a thrilling 1st ODI game in Hyderabad.

IND vs NZ: Why is Umran Malik Not Playing Today’s India vs New Zealand 2nd ODI?

Fast bowler Umran Malik will not be playing in the second ODI match against New Zealand, just as he did not play in the last game. Despite his impressive speed, clocking 156 kmph in the first ODI and 155 kmph in the T20I series, the Indian team is looking for a lower-order batting cushion and have chosen Shardul to return to the ODI squad. This decision was made by the team’s leader Rohit Sharma. It is a tough call for the Indian team management as Umran Malik is a talented bowler who can generate a lot of pace and has the ability to unsettle the batsmen. However, the team’s focus on having a lower-order batting cushion is a valid strategy as it gives them more options in the middle and lower order.

Shardul has a good all-round record and his inclusion will bring more balance to the team. It will be interesting to see how the Indian team performs in the second ODI without Umran Malik and how Shardul adapts to the match conditions. India’s bowling coach Paras Mhambrey had already stated that the surface will have a crucial role to play whether Umran gets an opportunity or not.

“The way Malik has progressed, it is very heartening to see. Pace does matter and adds a different dimension to the attack. The decision of playing him will depend on the surface and requirement of the team combination,” said India’s bowling coach Paras Mhambrey in the pre-match press conference.

Umran Malik Fastest Ball: Umran Malik Bowling Speed

Umran Malik is a valuable asset for the Indian cricket team, particularly for the upcoming 50-over World Cup. He has demonstrated that he can take wickets in the middle-overs with his exceptional pace. His fastest delivery ever, clocking 156 kmph, was recorded in the first ODI match in Guwahati, which is the fastest by an Indian pacer in ODI history.

IND Playing XI

1. Rohit Sharma (C)
2. Shubman Gill
3. Virat Kohli
4. Ishan Kishan (wk)
5. Suryakumar Yadav
6. Hardik Pandya
7. Washington Sundar
8. Shardul Thakur
9. Kuldeep Yadav
10. Mohammed Shami
11. Mohammed Siraj

Feel bad for Umran Malik again been rested today,just for zero all-rounders Sundar & Gol Rounder Thakur, experiment experiment experiments but no settle team by zero captain Sharma and weak coach Dravid since last two years @ImRo45 #UmranMalik #IndvsNZ2ndODI #siraj

— Kamaljit Rana (@KamaljitRana3) January 21, 2023

@ImRo45 This Motta fatty incompetent along with Alsi coach #Dravid again on the way to waste another world cup for india by wasting great fast bowler talent like #UmranMalik

— Sunil Garg (@SunilKrAgrawal1) January 21, 2023

Where is #umranmalik. You cannot stay with shardul in the future. So it's better to nourish umran for upcoming world cup.#umran #indvsnz #virat #rohit

— Rihan Ahmad (@RihanAh84288537) January 21, 2023

India vs New Zealand 2023 Schedule