'Dale Steyn used to do it whenever I took a wicket in nets' - Umran Malik reveals the inspiration behind chainsaw celebration

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) express pacer Umran Malik has been in some excellent form in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The right-arm pacer gave a match-winning performance with the ball in his team’s encounter against the five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) on May 17 (Tuesday).

The speedster Malik was seen doing the famous chainsaw celebration after he took wickets against the Mumbai at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, and has now revealed the inspiration behind his famous celebration. The express pacer has revealed that whenever he scalped a wicket during the practice sessions, SRH bowling coach Dale Steyn would do that particular celebration.

Getting to learn a lot from Dale Steyn: Umran Malik

“Dale Steyn is the umpire during net sessions and whenever I take a wicket, he does this kind of a celebration. I tried it one day, and since then it has become a habit. I am getting to learn a lot from Steyn and he is a cricketing legend. Even when we bowl for three hours in the nets, he is always there with us,” Malik said in the post-match presentation.

“I bowl fast and I push my body to generate that pace. I used to play tennis ball cricket and there too I bowled very fast yorkers. Nobody would play tennis ball cricket with me because of the same. It helped me a lot with my pace as the ball is lighter,” he added.

Talking about Malik’s numbers in IPL, the right-arm pacer has played a total of 16 matches and has scalped 23 wickets at an average of 22.43. The 22-year-old has already grabbed one four-wicket and one five-wicket haul in the toughest franchise-based league.

Meanwhile, his team SRH will take on the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in their final group stage match of IPL 2022. The encounter will take place at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on May 22 (Sunday).