'He is the second Indian player I'm excited to see after Sachin Tendulkar' - Sunil Gavaskar on this young Indian player

Umran Malik impressed everyone with his extraordinary pace in the Indian T20 League 2022. He was constantly able to produce speeds over 150 kmph. Playing for Hyderabad, he also won the emerging player of the tournament for his wicket-taking abilities.

Sunil Gavaskar, former India captain, has showered admiration on Indian fast bowling wonder Malik, saying that the last time he was as excited to watch an Indian player like Malik was for Sachin Tendulkar. Gavaskar also believes the pacer should play for India in the upcoming T20I against South Africa in Vizag.

However, he also believes that it is dependent on the type of wicket offered, as well as the fact that the team may not be prepared to experiment with their playing XI for a must-win game.

"The last time I got really excited at seeing an Indian player was Sachin Tendulkar. And after that, I am excited to see Umran Malik. I do believe he should play, but again they might say that let us win the third one and get ourselves in a situation, and then maybe they can think about experimenting," he told Star Sports.

Apart from Bhuvneshwar Kumar and leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, the 72-year-old believes India now lacks wicket-taking bowlers. He stated that nobody other than Kumar looked like taking wickets in the two T20I matches against South Africa in the ongoing series, which was a big reason why India could not defend the target of 212 in the first T20I.

Gavaskar feels that Malik and Arshdeep Singh should be given an opportunity at some point in the series. He believes they have a chance to make the squad that will fly to Australia for the T20 World Cup.

"Arshdeep and Umran, you want to see them play at some point in the series. You are looking to pick you squad for the World Cup in October so I think they need an opportunity. They need a wicket-taking bowler and Umran Malik is a wicket-taker… we know that," said Gavaskar.