'You would get India call-up after the season' - Umran Malik reveals how Dale Steyn's prediction came true

Express pacer Umran Malik has become a talking point in the cricketing world after giving some of the most emphatic performances with the ball during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022. Playing for the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), he bowled some fiery spells in the tournament and as a result, the speedster has been selected in the Indian squad to take on South Africa in a five-match T20I series.

Talking about Umran’s numbers in IPL 2022, the right-arm pacer scalped 22 wickets in just 14 matches and can bowl 145+ km/h regularly. The pacer has now revealed how his SRH bowling coach and veteran Dale Steyn predicted that he would soon receive an international call-up before the start of the IPL.

When I got selected for India, Dale sir was with me on the team bus: Umran Malik

At present, the youngster is going through training along with other Team India players, and in a video posted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the pacer emphasized the fact that his ultimate goal is to give his best to 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

“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 said in a video shared by the BCCI.

“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

Meanwhile, the Men in Blue will take on South Africa in the first match of the series to be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, on June 9 (Thursday).