GT vs SRH: Umran Malik stands tall as big guns taken apart on flat Wankhede pitch

GT vs SRH, IPL 2022: Umran Malik well and truly took the pitch out of the equation and proved there is no substitute to raw pace as he picked up 5/25 on an evening where more than 400 runs were scored in good batting conditions at the Wankhede Stadium.

There was an array of superstars on display during the Wednesday evening IPL 2022 blockbuster between Gujarat Titans and SunRisers Hyderabad. However, there was a cricket fan at the Wankhede Stadium, holding up a banner saying he had come to watch Umran Malik, the 22-year-old uncapped fast bowler, in action.Well, Umran Malik did not disappoint his fan. With raw pace that intimidated the opposition batters, the Srinagar pacer delighted the crowd, rattling the stumps for fun. On a night when 404 runs were scored at the Wankhede, Umran gave away just 25 of them and picked up as many as 5 wickets.Nothing can substitute the thrill of watching raw pace frightening the batters and Umran on Wednesday made sure there was plenty of it even as sixes and boundaries were hit at regular intervals.

Umran Malik will be the next super star in World cricket. #UmranMalik #SRHvGT

Umran Malik, the 22-year-old, who was one of the surprise retentions by the SunRisers, was making cricket lovers, including legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar, jump off their seats and watch the way he went about his business in awe."I think what was more exciting than these 5 wickets is the way Sunny (Gavaskar) was celebrating in the commentary box when he picked up his 5-wicket haul. Punching the ceiling, jumping and screaming. I think Sunny did that because how often have we seen India producing the fastest bowler in world cricket?" Former England captain Kevin Pietersen told Star Sports.Umran became the first bowler in the history of the IPL to complete a 5-wicket haul by picking up the first 5 wickets of an innings. The young tearaway fast bowler picked up his maiden 5-wicket haul, taking his tally to 15 wickets for IPL 2022.Umran was not brought into the attack until the 8th over of Gujarat Titans' chase of 196 on Wednesday. Hardik Pandya's men had raced to 68 in just 7 overs, taking the attack to Marco Jansen and T Natarajan in the powerplay.