CHENNAI: THE last 12 months has been a bit of a roller-coaster for J&K and India fast bowler Umran Malik. Having suffered a hamstring injury in August 2024, the pace sensation was out of action for a while, but that is not all. From thereon, one thing after another kept going wrong — including dengue and a hip injury that followed — for Malik that he had not been able to get back on the field.
Every time there was an update of him racing against the clock for Syed Mushtaq or the Indian Premier League (IPL), the pacer had a setback which meant he missed the entire domestic season and the IPL in which he was picked by Kolkata Knight Riders.
However, that is all in the past. Malik has been in Chennai over the past few weeks training with Abhishek Nayar and is now ready to steam in and bowl full tilt for his domestic side in the ongoing Buchi Babu tournament. Malik, while not playing the first match against Indian Railways, is hoping to take part in the next game against Baroda later this week.
"I haven't played cricket for a long time. I was injured for 7-8 months and it was a struggling time. Feels really good to be back. I have played a lot of red-ball and T20 matches in Kashmir during our camps. It is good to play as many matches as I can. It is good for my body's work load. I have come back and will do well in the season. That is my aim," Malik said on the sidelines of the match.
During his time away, Malik spent about six months at the BCCI Centre of Excellence with the sole focus of getting fit as quickly as possible. As someone who is known for his pace, he has now gotten used to the injuries and tries to take it in stride. "Injury is a part of life for sportsmen," he says before adding, "It is bound to happen. At that time, I kept myself strong. I was in CoE for rehab for 5-6 months, Nishant Bhai was helping me. Thulasi sir (Thulasi Ram Yuvaraj) and Suresh sir (Suresh Rathore)... (VVS) Laxman sir, he gave me everything there."
Malik credited JKCA, his coaches and former India cricketer Nayar, with whom he is working with, for his training and comeback as he looks to play as much cricket as possible and get some wickets under his belt. "JKCA has been supporting me. They are setting up good camps. I keep talking to Mithun Manhas (who is in charge of the core group running JKCA). I do simple things, just like I used to bowl earlier. I am developing three-four new variations. I am working with Abhishek and P Krishna Kumar. Ajay Sharma, he is our head coach. I am working with all of them. I had a camp with Abhishek a few days ago here in Chennai. It felt good to work with him," said Malik.
