When a player is prepared to transition from domestic to international competition is a topic of ongoing discussion in the sport of cricket. The seasoned Indian pacer Ishant Sharma recently voiced his opinion on the subject, in particular with relation to the young and promising Umran Malik.
Umran Malik has been selected for India’s limited-overs team for the upcoming series against the West Indies, however he was not given a chance to play in the Test matches. Ishant was asked about Umran’s suitability for Test cricket during a conversation, and he responded with a fair assessment.
Although Umran had a raw pace, Ishant expressed concern about his consistency and lack of a strong first-class record.
“He has the pace when his first-class record is strong, but his consistency is up for debate. If you’re going to play him in Test cricket for a while, give him some opportunity to succeed in first-class cricket before choosing him for Test cricket, he stated while commentating on Jio Cinema.
The seasoned player stressed how crucial it is to reward seamers who consistently perform well in first-class cricket. He said:
You won’t be fair to those who have excelled in first-class cricket for so long, picking up wickets for their side and for themselves so they can compete at a higher level.
Umran Malik current first-class stats do not support an early call-up to the Test team.
Only 12 wickets at an average of 46.67 in seven games were his to claim. Fast-tracking him to the Test format, in Ishant’s opinion, could be detrimental given his lack of experience bowling long stretches with the red ball.
Ishant Sharma believes that Arshdeep Singh can perform well in tests.
Not only were Sharma’s opinions on Umran Malik’s Test readiness brought up, but he was also questioned about another young seamer, Arshdeep Singh, who has been playing outstanding county cricket for Kent.
Ishant praised Arshdeep Singh, praising his left-arm angle and his capacity to swing the ball in both directions. He brought up Singh’s improved speed and accuracy, which may be useful in Test cricket.
From the T20 World Cup to the IPL this season, his pace has significantly increased. Ishant said that in Test cricket, the speed at which you bowl the old ball is crucial.
With 33 wickets at an average of 28.24 in ten first-class games, Arshdeep Singh has shown promise on the home circuit. He has taken eight wickets in three games for Kent this current county season, making his most recent efforts notable.
Ishant Sharma’s viewpoint on Umran Malik emphasizes the value of having a great first-class record as a requirement for Test selection. Umran’s pace is promising, but before he transitions to Test cricket, he must succeed in the longer format. On the other side, Arshdeep Singh is a possible candidate for Test cricket due to his reliable first-class cricket performances and his present involvement in county cricket.
India
