Express pacer Umran Malik has started dreaming of wearing India colours again after coming back from an injury break. He trusts his natural pace to cross the 150 kmph mark and the new skills he has added, like slower balls and a sharper yorker.

Malik has been away from the Indian team since July 2023 for many reasons, even after taking 24 wickets in 10 ODIs and 8 T20Is. But these setbacks have not broken his confidence.

“Let me tell you one thing. Bowlers who bowl at 150 are not just strike bowlers; they are attacking bowlers. They may give 30 runs in four overs, but they will also take wickets. A fast bowler should know what he needs to do,” Umran told select media after J&K's Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match against Uttar Pradesh on Friday.

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Umran on His Pace and Confidence

“A bowler who bowls at 150 knows he is a king and he must back himself. Not everyone can bowl at 150 kph. It takes real courage, and I have been doing it for the last five years,” Umran said.

He added that this kind of speed cannot be achieved only with hard work.

“Bowling 150 kph is an art. You cannot jump from 137 to 145 suddenly. You can train as much as you want, but a part of it is natural. You must train well, eat well, rest well and keep your body fresh for the next day.

“Speed is natural for me. How can I reduce it? Training, running, cardio — all must be maintained. There is no special diet. Pace is my strength, and I need to get it back.”

I will come back to the India team. I have confidence in myself because I am the only one who bowls at 150.

- Umran Malik 🎙️ (TOI) pic.twitter.com/9VPbFGGYz1

— KKR Karavan (@KkrKaravan) November 28, 2025

‘I Am the Only One Who Bowls 150’

Umran, who touched 156.7 kph in IPL 2024 but has since faced injuries and illness, said he never doubted himself.

“I never feel mentally low. I know I will do well and return to the India team. I trust myself because I am the only one who bowls at 150. But now I am also working on slower balls and yorkers. I am doing this in red-ball cricket too.

“The rest depends on the selectors. I am doing better now. Playing for India again is my aim.” He said competition in Indian fast bowling has always been high, but it doesn’t worry him.

“When I take wickets and stay fit, why won’t they pick me? They will pick me if I perform. That’s all.”

Small Goals for Now

The 26-year-old said his short-term target is simple: to be the top wicket-taker for J&K in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

“I want to play all matches for my state and become the highest wicket-taker. I already have five wickets from two games, including 3/37 against UP,” he said.

Injuries are common for someone who bowls at high pace, but Umran said they helped him understand his body better.

“Anyone can get injured. You just have to know how to come out of it. I never fear for my career. I only think about what I must do the next day—training, bowling, batting, fielding. Everything is in God’s hands.”

Umran missed the entire 2024–25 domestic season and IPL 2025 due to recurring issues. He trained at the BCCI Centre of Excellence and also worked with Abhishek Nayar. After nearly 17 months, he returned to competitive cricket in the Ranji Trophy.

He stayed positive during this phase.

“If your mindset is stable, you perform better after injury. It feels good now because the ball is coming out nicely. Injury teaches you many things — mindset, body, routines. In a long career, injuries are normal. You must stay with positive people and avoid negative ones.”

Ready for All Formats

Umran brushed aside talk that he might lose speed with age.

“You cannot bowl 150 directly. You start with 138, 140, 142. As long as I play, I want to stay positive. I don’t want to show pace; I want to show wickets. Even after 10 years, if I bowl 150 to 140, it’s fine. I will never drop to 135 or 130.”

He ended by saying, “There is nothing different in red-ball cricket. Yes, I am ready to play all formats.”