Jammu and Kashmir pace sensation Umran Malik along with Punjab left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh earn maiden national call-up for South Africa series.
In what has sparked massive excitement among cricket fans, Jammu and Kashmir pace sensation Umran Malik earned an expected call-up in the Indian team for the upcoming five-match T20 International home series against South Africa starting June 9.
Nicknamed 'Jammu Express', Umran has picked up 21 wickets in 13 games for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, his ability to bowl consistently at 150+ kph has caught the nation's imagination.
Along with Umran, Punjab Kings' death overs specialist Arshdeep Singh earned his maiden national call-up.
Also read:Β IPL 2022: Legendary pacer Brett Lee praises SRH's Umran Malik; gives key advice
Meanwhile, all-rounder Hardik Pandy, who has successfully led the new IPL franchise Gujarat Titans into the playoffs, has also been included in the squad. Another star marking his return after a phenomenal performance in the T20 league is Royal Challengers Bangalore's Dinesh Karthik.
Regular captain Rohit Sharma, batting icon Virat Kohli, and star pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami have all been rested for the white-ball series. KL Rahul has been named captain, while wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant will be the vice-captain.
Rohit, Kohli, and Bumrah will all fly to England on June 15 for the one-off Test against England at Edgbaston from July 1-5 and will be joined by Cheteshwar Pujara, who has earned a recall to the 17-member Indian Test team after a spectacular show in English County Championship for Sussex.
Here's a look at the squads:
India's T20I squad for home series vs SA: KL Rahul (Captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, Deepak Hooda, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (vice-captain)(wk), Dinesh Karthik (wk), Hardik Pandya, Venkatesh Iyer, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik.
India's squad for Edgbaston Test vs England: Rohit Sharma (captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain) Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Cheteshwar Pujara, Rishabh Pant (wk), KS Bharat (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Mohd Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Prasidh Krishna.
Indian cricket fans took to Twitter to express their joy over the inclusion of Umran Malik and Arshdeep Singh in the squad. They also lauded the return of Hardik Pandya and Dinesh Karthik to the national team. Here's a look at some of the reactions:
It's happening π₯Ήβ€οΈβπ₯
Umran Malik 𧑠https://t.co/EobMAXlTRF pic.twitter.com/KElcEbzygP
Arshdeep Singh, one of the best death bowler of this IPL season. Really happy to see he got a maiden call up for India's team for the T20I Series vs South Africa. Also Umran Malik got the chance & he deserves as well for this opportunity. India's Pace battery now more stronger.
β CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh)Delighted to see Avesh, Arshdeep & Umran Malik in the squad; and to think that Khaleel & Mohsin could have made the cut too; Good that the skills of Dinesh Karthik & Bhuvi have been recognised. Going to be tough on KL Rahul & Rishabh. Thought they might go straight to the test.
β Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha)IPLβs performances are considered only for inclusions in the Indian squads and not for exclusions, and rightly so. Many players, who had below par IPL, have managed to retain their places. Arshdeep and Umran Malik rewarded for good IPL seasons.
β Rahul Rawat (@rawatrahul9)The day has come. Umran Malik makes it to the Indian cricket team. Very few from J and K have made it to the squad.
Congratulations. Best wishes. https://t.co/1jrKMynL9r
Big congratulations to Umran Malik and Arshdeep Singh on getting into squad for the series versus South AfricaππΌππΌππΌππΌππΌ.
β Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi)Congratulations to Umran Malik for getting selected to the Indian team. Huge moment for this young lad.
β Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan)India's T20i squad for South Africa series:
KL Rahul (C), Karthik (WK), Pant (WK), Ruturaj, Kishan, Hooda, Shreyas, Hardik, Venkatesh, Chahal, Kuldeep, Axar, Bishnoi, Bhuvi, Harshal, Avesh, Arshdeep Singh and Umran Malik.
ππfinally after 3 years β€οΈ
They're backβ€οΈβπ₯ π€ pic.twitter.com/A0jzodSA4c
β CricTracker (@Cricketracker)Waiting for Hardik Pandya - Dinesh Karthik finishing combo in T20I, will be exciting for the Indian team.
β Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)Richly deserved return to the Indian team , well done ππ½
Good to see and back too!
Indiaβs pace battery is now richer with two very talented bowlers, and Umran π₯
Tripathi still doesn't get a spot though.
Really Really happy to see in the T20 squad! π₯³
Also happy to see making a comeback to the Indian team.
Deserving Avesh, Umran, Arshdeep π
But disappointed to see no ..... https://t.co/cSnCoIuLjH
Good to see name for t20 series against and thanks to for showing beleive in both and making comeback for National sideπ
β Faiz Ahmad Khan (@FaizAhm14876574)(With inputs from PTI)Β