Umran Malik, who has played only seven matches in this season’s IPL and taken five wickets, has been missing from the first eleven of Sunrisers Hyderabad in recent matches, leaving fans and team captain Markram puzzled. Even former cricketer Kevin Pietersen echoed Markram’s sentiments, suggesting that the captain seems unaware of his own team dynamics, raising doubts about the team’s chances of success.
Fans eagerly anticipated whether Hyderabad would include Umran in their lineup against the Royal Challengers. However, Markram’s response during the toss added to the intrigue. “Honestly, I don’t know much about Umran,” Markram confessed. While recognizing Umran’s talent and ability to deliver fast-paced deliveries at speeds of 150 km per hour, Markram expressed uncertainty about the situation behind the scenes.
Speculations began to swirl following Markram’s remarks, painting a concerning picture of internal dynamics within the team. The captain’s relationship with the players appears complicated, with rumors suggesting that Umran is not favored by Markram. Team coach Brian Lara cited Umran’s lack of rhythm as the reason for his absence. However, when most of the team’s cricketers are struggling to find their rhythm, it raises questions as to why Umran isn’t given a chance, as pointed out by Pietersen.
Pietersen expressed his concerns, saying, “Markram joined the Hyderabad team eight weeks ago. By now, he should have a good understanding of everyone in the squad. That’s the captain’s responsibility. But Markram still seems unaware of his own team dynamics. If the captain is unaware, it raises doubts about the team’s chances of success.”
Former Australian captain Aaron Finch also echoed Pietersen’s sentiments, stating, “There is a bowler in the team who consistently bowls at 150 km per hour. However, he continues to be sidelined match after match. This not only harms the team but also undermines the bowler’s confidence. The more Umran plays, the better he will perform. I fail to understand why the captain or management are not giving him a chance.”
The situation surrounding Umran’s absence has raised concerns within the Sunrisers Hyderabad camp, leaving fans and experts alike questioning the decision-making and team dynamics that could potentially impact the team’s performance in the IPL.
