'He's the most deserving candidate' - Harbhajan Singh wants Umran Malik to be part of India's T20 WC squad

Indian Premier League (IPL) is a platform for players to showcase their talents and put their names in front of the national selectors for consideration. To note, The ICC T20 World Cup is slated to be played in Australia later this year. As a result, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) might be keeping an eye on the Indian players before shortlisting the names for the all-important tournament.

Meanwhile, former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh has backed an uncapped Indian player for the big tournament later this year. The veteran spinner was left extremely impressed with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) speedster Umran Malik, who bowled a sensational last over as a triple-wicket maiden against Punjab Kings (PBKS) on April 17 and won the Player of the Match award.

Umran bowled a triple-wicket maiden in the final over and finished after scalping four wickets under his bag. The express pacer became only the fourth bowler after veteran Lasith Malinga and left-arm pacers Jaydev Unadkat and Irfan Pathan to bowl a maiden in the 20th over of a game.

The blue jersey is the only jersey missing and he should get it early: Harbhajan Singh

Speaking to Star Sports after Punjab’s innings, Harbhajan expressed his views and said that the pacer should get the India jersey soon and is the most deserving one to be part of the T20 World Cup squad.

“This (Blue) is the only jersey missing and he should get it early. I feel he is the most deserving one who should be selected to play for India in that T20 World Cup in Australia. He could be your match-winner there,” he said.

Umran, who made his IPL debut last season for the Orange Army, has already scalped nine wickets this season at an average of 22.33. The 22-year-old was retained by SRH ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction for a cost of INR 4 crore. Talking about his overall numbers in IPL, the right-arm pacer has scalped a total of 11 wickets in nine matches.