IND vs SA 2022: Umran Malik reveals how Dale Steyn predicted Indian pacer’s entry into Team India

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All eyes are on India's fastest bowler Umran Malik ahead of the T20I series against South Africa. Umran, who represented Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2022, emerged as the fastest Indian and second fastest bowler in the league. The right-arm pacer picked 21 wickets in 14 matches and also won the 'Emerging Player of the Year' award of the season. Riding on the success of IPL, Umran received his maiden call up for Team India. 

"A dream come true moment to get India call up."

Umran Malik speaks about the excitement on being a part of the #TeamIndia squad, Day 1 at the practice session, his idols and goals ahead. - By @28anand

Full interview #INDvSA | @Paytm pic.twitter.com/V9ySL4JKDl — BCCI (@BCCI) June 8, 2022

In an interview with BCCI, Umran revealed that his coach at SRH, former South Africa pacer Dale Steyn had already told him that he will be in the India team after IPL 2022. "When I got selected for India, Dale Sir (Steyn) was with me in the team bus. We were going for the match. Everyone congratulated me and Dale sir said, 'I told you before the IPL that you would get the India call-up after the season. And that's exactly what happened, by the grace of God. My goal is to give my best for Team India now," Umran told BCCI. 

Umran will now be coached by legendary India cricketer Rahul Dravid. Rahul was appointed as the coach of the Indian men's cricket team after the tenure of Ravi Shastri got over. Umran expressed that he was happy to meet his new coach. “I was very happy to meet and talk with Rahul sir. He is such a legend of the game. He just told me to keep continuing what I do. Paras sir was also standing behind me and he was guiding me after every ball. It was giving me a lot of confidence,” he added.

Umran shared the dressing room with Kane Williamson and Bhuvneshwar Kumar during the IPL 2022 playing for SRH. Umran feels that a lot of credit also goes to both of them. 

“A lot of credit also goes to Bhuvi Bhai, whenever I bowled, he used to stand at mid-off or mid-on. And also to the skipper Kane Williamson, he used to back me even if I went for runs. When I used to bowl with the tennis ball, at that time, Shami Bhai, Bhuvi Bhai, and Bumrah used to bowl yorkers well. So, I used to just follow them," Umran said.