The coming series will be a lesson for Umran Malik, he will realize that it is not just about pace: Brad Hogg

Umran Malik will be hoping to make a comeback into the Indian side, having being called up for the ODI and T20I series of the West Indies tour, despite his failed outing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season. While Malik would be hoping for things to fall in place, former Australia cricketer Brad Hogg believes that this series will be crucial for Indian speedster to establish his place in the Indian squad, with the ODI World Cup approaching soon. 

The Jammu and Kashmir pacer last featured for team India, in limited-overs cricket, in the home series against New Zealand. The 23-year-old has played eight ODIs and as many T20Is, and has picked up 13 and 11 wickets in the two formats, respectively. Hogg stated that the forthcoming white-ball series against the Caribbean side will also be crucial for Hardik Pandya and Arshdeep Singh.

"Pandya is struggling with the bat a little bit, but he has got the potential, he has shown it in the past. I think this will be a very important series for Arshdeep to develop. I think with the IPL that he has just had, the coming series will be a lesson for Umran Malik. He will realize that it is not just about pace," Hogg said while speaking on his YouTube channel. 

More opportunities moving forward with the T20 World Cup: Hogg

In the T20I series, Hardik will be leading the side in the absence of regular skipper Rohit Sharma. India will be looking at different opportunities available as Jasprit Bumrah remains unavailable due to injury. Umran, Arshdeep and Mukesh Kumar's selection to the squad clearly point out the selectors' view that as they now try to look ahead of Bumrah for the ODI World Cup 2023. 

"I really like the way that the selectors have gone there, they have gone for youth, they want to see what is coming through, they want to give them international experience, more opportunities moving forward with the T20 World Cup," Hogg further added.

The Men in Blue will now be targetting the ODI World Cup 2023, which is scheduled to take place in India in October-November. With over an year to go for the next edition of the 20-over World Cup, Indian selectors' hunt for up and coming talent has already begun.