Umran Malik Comeback: Speedster Ready for Buchi Babu & Ranji return
Umran Malik Comeback: Express Pacer Ready to Reignite His Domestic Journey
Umran Malik has not bowled a competitive ball since IPL 2024, spending the last twelve months fighting hamstring and hip problems, plus a bout of illness. Now the 25-year-old fast bowler says body and mind are “in the right place” as he gears up for Jammu & Kashmir’s second-round Buchi Babu clash against Baroda on 22 August and a full Ranji Trophy campaign.
Rehab, Rebuild, Recharge
Six intense months at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru reshaped Malik’s fitness. Strength coach Nishanta Bordoloi and physios Thulasi Ram and Suresh Rathore oversaw a programme that mixed conditioning, bowling workloads and injury-prevention drills. The result: full rhythm in the nets and confidence to unleash 150 kph rockets again.
Injury Timeline and Recovery
Period (2024-25) | Setback | Major Tournaments Missed | Rehab Base |
|---|---|---|---|
May – Jul 2024 | Hamstring tear | IPL 2024 playoffs | Hyderabad & NCA |
Aug – Oct 2024 | Hip strain | Buchi Babu, Duleep Trophy | NCA Bengaluru |
Nov 2024 – Jan 2025 | Viral illness | Vijay Hazare Trophy | Home, Srinagar |
Feb – Jun 2025 | Conditioning phase | IPL 2025 | BCCI CoE, Bengaluru |
Fine-Tuning With New Mentors
Malik sharpened his craft during J&K camps and a two-week tune-up with former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar in Chennai. He has added “three or four new variations”—including a disguised slower ball and wider yorker release—to complement raw pace.
Mind Over Radar Gun
The speedster admits that social-media chatter about form and fitness once distracted him. A digital detox, family support and guidance from childhood coach Prashant Shetty have restored focus:
“I kept myself strong, kept my mindset right. Now the goal is simple—stay fit, take wickets, play for India.”
Season Targets
Buchi Babu Tournament: Second-round start vs Baroda
Ranji Trophy 2025-26: Full campaign as J&K spearhead
India Recall: Strong red-ball outings to re-enter national discussion ahead of 2026 tours
If the radar gun keeps flashing and the body holds firm, the Umran Malik comeback story could gather serious pace long before the next IPL auction.