WhenUmran Malikburst onto the IPL stage withSunrisers Hyderabad, Indian cricket had finally found a genuine express fast bowler. Clocking speeds over150 kmphand terrorising batters, Malik became one of the most talked-about young bowlers inIPL 2022, finishing with 22 wickets.

However, the story since then has been less straightforward. Malik recently missed out onJammu & Kashmir’s Ranji Trophy squad, highlighting a sharp decline in form and fitness. Despite playing more international matches early in his career than several current Indian stars, he now finds himself on the fringes.

After his IPL breakthrough, Malik made an immediate impact for India, taking 21 wickets in his first 12 matches across ODIs and T20Is. Yet, his lack of control became apparent as batters adapted, and his performance dipped, yielding only three wickets in the next five games.

Injuries compounded his struggles. A bout ofdenguefollowed by astress fracture in his left hipruled him out ofIPL 2025, and he managed just a single appearance inIPL 2024. Despite this,Kolkata Knight Ridersretained him forRs 75 lakhahead of IPL 2026, offering him a chance for a fresh start.

Malik now faces a demanding road to revival, whereraw pace alone is no longer enough. Control, adaptability, and smart execution are essential.Dale Steyn, who coached Malik at SRH, emphasised the importance of pace variation:

“Pace can be your friend as well as your biggest enemy. Umran needs to learn that he has more than one gear. Once he understands how to shift through different speeds on different surfaces, he’ll find his way back to where he belongs.”

For Malik, mastering these nuances could be the key to reclaiming his place in Indian cricket while making an impact in IPL 2026.