'Most exciting prospect I've seen in 10 years' - Vengasarkar heaps praise on Umran Malik

The pace bowling sensation Umran Malik has been receiving high praises from the esteemed former cricketers as well as the current lot of players. He returned with 22 wickets in 14 matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the recently concluded Indian Premier League. 

In this pursuit, he even clocked a speed of 157 kmph, which got etched into history as the fastest ball delivered by the Indian pacer in the Indian Premier League. 

Malik's pace, accuracy, and attacking mindset left an immediate impact on the selectors, as he was named in India's T20I squad for the South Africa series. 

However, the 22-year-old pacer was not included in the fixture and second fixture of the series.

Now, the former cricketer Dilip Vengasarkar has opined that Malik deserves to be a part of India's playing XI after his impressive performances in the cash-rich T20 league. 

Vengasarkar thinks that the home series is usually the right time to test the team's bench strength. 

"Everybody has a different outlook on the game. But I feel he deserves to play after showing that kind of speed and accuracy in the IPL. Also, when you are playing (international cricket) at home, that's the right time to test somebody like him," Vengsarkar said to Khaleej Times. 

The former Indian captain added that Malik is one of the most exciting prospects he has witnessed in the last ten years. 

"He is one of the most exciting prospects I have seen in the last 10 years. I hope he does well because he looks very fit, and he has that aggression of a fast bowler. He has got pace and accuracy. I think he should be able to play for India for a long time," he concluded. 

After losing the second consecutive T20I against South Africa, the Men in Blue could look to go out-of-the-box in the game at Vishakhapatnam and give the nod to Umran to make his national debut.