‘Khel, Tod' - Umran Malik highlights his mother's unconditional support in cricket journey

Sunrisers Hyderabad speedster Umran Malik, who emerged as one of the fastest bowlers in the IPL 2022, reveals how his mother supported him throughout his journey in cricket. The youngster from Jammu was the standout performer this season at the IPL and caught the selectors’ attention for his ability to clock the speeds consistently over 150 kmph.

Malik received his maiden national call-up for the upcoming home series against South Africa and was also adjudged the Emerging Player of the Season (IPL 2022) for his impressive spells for the team. In the 14 league games that he played, he won the award for the ‘Fastest Delivery’ in all the games, thereby bagging the award 14 times throughout the season.

While speaking to The Indian Express, Malik recalled how he used to play with the plastic ball at his house and his mother backed him to follow his passion and not care about any physical damage to the house.

“When I was young, I would play with a plastic ball at home and would get scolded for breaking glass windows. But even then, my mother would not stop me from playing and would say, ‘khel, tod!’ (Play, break!),” Malik said.

I feel very happy that I have made my father proud: Umran Malik

Malik has gone through several hardships in his life. His father has been a fruit vendor for many years and has been running a small business in Jammu. The 22-year-old stated that he will not compel his father to quit his job even if he gets the opportunity to represent his national side. He described how his father instilled in him the importance of being modest as he added:

“My grandfather, father, and uncle have been working on it. It is not that if I am playing for India, my father will stop working. My father always tells me that we will remain where we have risen from. I come from an average family. I feel very happy that I have made my father proud.”

Malik will be hoping to get his debut cap and play for India in the forthcoming five-match T20I series against the Proteas. The KL Rahul-led Indian side will play the first game on June 9 (Thursday) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.