What if Umran Malik was Australian? The Pace star’s alternate career path

Published - 12 Nov 2025, 13:51 IST | Updated - 12 Nov 2025, 13:59 IST

India's pace sensation Umran Malik’s career so far has been a rollercoaster. Hailing from Jammu and Kashmir, Umran became India’s fastest bowler, clocking 150 kph regularly. But just as his name began making headlines, injuries hampered his progress.

Malik’s first moment to fame came in the 2021 Indian Premier League (IPL) when he made his debut for Sunrisers Hyderabad as a short-term Covid replacement. Despite having played only a handful of domestic matches, he became a favourite after touching 150 kph. His approach and raw pace caught the attention of fans, experts, and selectors alike.

In the 2022 IPL season, Umran picked up 22 wickets in 14 matches, including a five-wicket haul against the Gujarat Titans. He also bowled the five fastest deliveries of that season, clocking a top speed of 156.9 kph, the kind of pace rarely seen in Indian cricket. His exploits earned him an India call-up later that year/

However, Umran’s international debut revealed the gap between potential and performance. While he struck fear into batters with his pace, his lack of control and discipline often allowed opponents to capitalize. In eight T20Is, he took 11 wickets at an economy rate of over 10, and in 10 ODIs, he managed 13 wickets but was expensive.

The following seasons saw his career derailed by frequent injuries and illness. From dengue to a stress fracture in his hip, he endured setbacks consistently. His time at Sunrisers Hyderabad folded after two inconsistent years, and though he was picked up by Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of IPL 2025, another injury ruled him out before the season began.

The youngster spent months at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru working on his fitness. The young pacer credited physios and coaches like VVS Laxman and Abhishek Nayar for guiding him through rehab. As of late 2025, Umran is back playing domestic cricket for Jammu and Kashmir.

However, if he had been an Australian fast bowler, his raw pace would have been tailor-made for the bouncy, pace-friendly pitches of Australia. Surfaces like Perth or Brisbane would have played to his natural strengths. In those conditions, Umran’s 150kph rockets could have been a nightmare for any batter.

However, breaking into the Australian XI would not have been easy. Competing with the likes of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood, arguably the best pace trio of this generation, would have been a monumental task. Even in that setup, though, Umran’s express pace would have made him an exciting option in shorter formats, perhaps as a specialist for home conditions or limited-overs tournaments.