Umran Malik Set for Domestic Comeback After Injury Layoff

Umran Malik is poised to make his long-awaited return to competitive cricket in the ongoing Buchi Babu tournament and the upcoming Ranji Trophy after recovering from a string of injuries and illness that sidelined him for over a year.

The 25-year-old Jammu & Kashmir fast bowler, who last played top-level cricket during IPL 2024, missed the entire 2024–25 domestic season and IPL 2025 due to hamstring and hip injuries, followed by health setbacks. After completing an extensive rehabilitation program at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, Malik says he is finally ready to hit top gear again.

"I'm feeling good. I haven't played cricket for a long time," Malik said on the sidelines of the Buchi Babu tournament in Chennai. "I was injured for seven-eight months. It was a struggling phase. It feels really good to be back."

Though he missed the opening round of the Buchi Babu tournament, Malik is expected to feature in the second round for Jammu & Kashmir against Baroda from August 22. With red-ball and T20 practice games under his belt in Kashmir, he is eager to rebuild match fitness and form.

"It is good to play as many matches as I can. It is good for my body's workload. I've come back and will do well in the season. That's my aim."

Malik spent nearly six months at the NCA under the watchful eyes of physios Thulasi Ram Yuvaraj and Suresh Rathore, strength and conditioning coach Nishanta Bordoloi, and CoE chief VVS Laxman — a team he credits for his successful recovery.

"Injury is a part of life for a sportsman," he said. "At that time, I kept myself strong. I kept my mindset right. Everything is fine now."

Malik burst onto the scene in IPL 2022 when he consistently bowled over 150kph and took 22 wickets in 14 matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad. He earned a swift call-up to India’s white-ball teams but has struggled with injuries since then, halting his progress at the international level.

Now fully fit and focused, Malik is determined to use the domestic circuit as a springboard back into national contention.

"Yeah, I'll be bowling in full rhythm now," he said. "Actually, I want to play cricket. I just want to protect my body from injuries, and I want to play cricket well. I want to play for India and that's my aim. Hopefully, I can take wickets and make a comeback."

In preparation for the season, Malik also worked with former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar in Chennai and has been training under the guidance of J&K coaches Mithun Manhas, Ajay Sharma, and bowling coach P. Krishna Kumar. He revealed he is also working on "three-four new variations" to add more depth to his bowling arsenal.

"J&K Cricket Association has been supporting me. They are setting up some good camps," Malik added. "I do simple things, and just like I used to bowl earlier, I do the same."

Having stayed involved with the Kolkata Knight Riders' setup during his IPL rehab, Malik is now hoping that a strong domestic season will revive his stalled international career — with the Ranji Trophy a crucial proving ground in the months ahead.