KKR's Umran Malik shines for J&K with three-fer in SMAT
What's the story
Fast bowler Umran Malik, who was retained by the Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 mini auction, impressed in Round 2 of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The Jammu and Kashmir pacer picked a three-fer versus Uttar Pradesh in an Elite Group B contest held at Jadavpur University Campus, Kolkata. Despite his heroics, J&K were beaten. Here's more.
Wickets
Umran gets three scalps, including one of KKR teammate Rinku
Umran picked 3/37 from his 4 overs as UP managed 193/6 in 20 overs. In the ninth over, he broke a 73-run opening stand between Aryan Juyal and Karan Sharma by dismissing the latter. In the 13th over, he got Juyal, who scored 51. His final wicket was that of his KKR teammate Rinku Singh in the 13th over.
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A strong start to the SMAT 2025 campaign
Umran's 3/37 in the defeat against UP comes after he managed 2/24 from 4 overs versus Maharashtra at the Eden Gardens in Round 1. His effort helped J&K win the contest. Maharashtra were folded for 130 before J&K won the contest by 5 wickets.
Numbers
Umran races to 70 scalps in T20s
After 2 SMAT matches this season, Umran has picked 5 wickets at 12.20, as per ESPNcricinfo. Overall in the 20-over format, Umran has raced to 70 scalps from 56 matches at 24.07. Notably, 29 of his 70 T20 wickets have come in the IPL at 26.62. The 26-year-old Umran has also played 8 T20Is for India, taking 11 scalps.
IPL
Umran Malik's IPL story
Umran last played in the IPL back in 2024 for Sunrisers Hyderabad. He played one match. He made his IPL debut in 2021, picking two scalps from 3 games. In IPL 2022, he shone with 22 scalps from 14 outings. This was followed by 5 wickets from 8 appearances in IPL 2023. He moved to KKR next but didn't get a game last season.
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Umran can be a weapon for KKR in IPL 2026
If Umran can stay injury free and maintain this form, he will be an asset for KKR. The right-arm speedster can help Harshit Rana and Vaibhav Arora in the pace department. In fact, KKR can opt for a three-man Indian pace attack.