T20 World Cup 2022: Umran Malik in place of one of the spinners would have been a wise move – Bharat Arun

Former Indian bowling coach Bharat Arun believes the Indian selectors have picked one extra spinner in their T20 World Cup squad and they could have added Umran Malik. India has picked three spinners in their squad, namely, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, and Yuzvendra Chahal.

However, it is well known that conditions in Australia are more conducive to seam bowling than spin. In fact, experts like former Indian skipper Dilip Vengsarkar, former Australia fast bowler Brett Lee and former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram reckon India should have added Umran Malik to the squad.

Malik has impressed with his raw pace and had picked 22 wickets in 14 matches while playing for SunRisers Hyderabad in IPL 2022. However, he had an expensive outing against Ireland and England in the three matches he played as he conceded his runs at 12.44. Thus, he was not given chance in the next series.

“Umran Malik is exciting, he’s got the pace. And given the right kind of fields, he’s done pretty well in the IPL. Considering the wickets in Australia I feel India has carried far too many spinners. Somebody like Umran Malik would have been a great fill-up for the team,” said Arun while talking to WV Raman on Wednesdays with WV.

“Yes there is bounce, the grounds are big spinners that have a very important role in Australia but I think three spinners are too many. Because at any given point you would be playing just one spinner in the team and you have the choice of two spinners in the side. Three spinners are too many. That’s why I said Umran Malik instead of one spinner would have been a very very wise move,” he said.

India is expected to play with two spinners in their playing XI an three seamers. Hardik Pandya will be the sixth bowler of the team in the T20 World Cup.

India will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against Pakistan at the iconic MCG on 23rd October.