Former BCCI selector MSK Prasad believes Rahul Dravid made the correct call by not playing Umran Malik in any of the five T20Is against South Africa. Prasad suggests that despite a brilliant showing in the IPL, the express pacer needs to wait a bit longer for his first international cap.
After grabbing 22 wickets in the 2022 IPL, Umran Malik became an overnight sensation, making his entry into the national team seem like a certainty. His inclusion in the squad for the T20I series against South Africa looked like the breakthrough he had been waiting for, yet the 22-year-old remained an unused substitute throughout the five-game series.
Prasad argued that Avesh Khan's previous track record and solid performances for India justified his selection. By sticking with Avesh, who has shown he can deliver in various match situations, Dravid opted for a proven quantity over an untested one.
The former selector also pointed out that Harshal Patel's current form made him a strong contender. While acknowledging Malik's IPL achievements, Prasad emphasized that the young bowler's time will eventually come and that Dravid is ensuring every player gets a fair chance. Supporting this view, former chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar suggested that keeping Malik on the bench might be a strategic move, with Dravid saving the pacer's raw pace for the perfect occasion.
Former BCCI chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar said that not playing Umran could be the team’s strategy as Dravid might be waiting for the right moment to unleash him.