IPL 2022: Umran Malik bowls the fastest ball of the season with a 154 kph delivery

Umran Malik only seems to be growing from strength to strength as the IPL 2022 progresses. He has so far amassed 15 wickets from nine matches. Apart from being one of the strong contenders for this year’s Purple Cap, the emerging pacer has also been clocking over 150 kmph at regular intervals.

Umran created a new record with his sheer pace during the clash against the defending champions Chennai Super Kings at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on May 1. The pacer, who has been competing with New Zealand and Gujarat Titans counterpart Lockie Ferguson for bowling the fastest deliveries in this competition, edged past the seasoned Kiwi fast bowler by a whisker.

This happened in the 10th over of the innings. On the third ball, Malik bowled a short one around off-stump as Ruturaj Gaikwad attempted to pull it aggressively. Nonetheless, he could not time the ball well and ended up getting a top-edge which flew over the wicketkeeper’s head, and with no fielder to cover the ball, it successfully made its way to the boundary.

The end result might have been a lucky four but, the delivery bowled by the Jammu & Kashmir speedster clocked 154 kph which is the fastest delivery of this season. Thus, he overhauled Lockie Ferguson’s pace of 153.9kph. Interestingly, Malik yet again clocked the same speed (154 kph) later in the innings during the death overs.

Not a good day with the ball for Umran Malik

Unfortunately for the 22 -year-old, he could not repeat the heroics of the last game where he had registered his maiden fifer against the Gujarat Titans. Umran Malik went wicketless in his quota of four overs conceding 48 runs at an economy rate of 12.

The CSK batters made the perfect use of the conditions after being asked to bat by SRH skipper Kane Williamson as the duo of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway added 182 runs for the opening stand. Gaikwad got out agonizingly on 99 on his home ground but, Conway added finishing touches with an unbeaten 55-ball 85 to propel Chennai to a stiff total of 202/2.