The way Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) has managed Umran Malik in this IPL season is perhaps best summarized by their captain, Aiden Markram’s uncertainty when asked about the sidelined pace bowler’s position in the team’s pecking order during the toss on Thursday. Markram admitted, “I don’t really know what’s happening with him behind the scenes,” while acknowledging Malik as their “X-factor.”

Zaheer Khan, a former fast bowler for India, is of the opinion that the explosive pace sensation, who made a significant impact in the previous IPL season and was swiftly included in the Indian team, hasn’t been handled properly by SRH this year.

“I believe Umran Malik hasn’t received the appropriate treatment from the franchise in terms of utilizing his abilities. This is evident,” Khan expressed on Thursday, highlighting his concerns about SRH’s management of Malik.