'Saw Steyn do that in nets': Umran Malik reveals inspiration behind his chainsaw celebration

Umran Malik has been a breakthrough bowler in the Indian T20 League 2022. He has impressed everyone with the pace that he has produced. The 22-year old has been able to deliver speeds of 150+ repeatedly. Besides, he has also been able to produce wickets regularly. Recently, the right-arm pacer gave a match-winning performance with the ball in his team’s encounter against the five-time champions Mumbai on Tuesday.

The speedster is always seen doing the chainsaw celebration after he gets a wicket. He has finally disclosed the origin of his famous celebration. The pacer stated that anytime he scalped a wicket during practice, Hyderabad bowling coach Dale Steyn would execute that specific celebration. He said that he tried to copy that.

"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 during the post-match presentation after the game against Mumbai.

He went on to say that playing tennis-ball cricket helped him develop his speed. "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.

Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir bowler has 21 wickets in 13 games for Hyderabad in the Indian T20 League 2022. This season, he also has a four-wicket haul and a five-wicket haul to his name. His economy of 8.94, however, has been on the expensive side.

The Hyderabad take on Punjab in their final encounter of the league stage on the 22nd of May. They must win the match to be able to qualify for the playoffs.