Pulwama-born Umar Nazir is a standout in Indian domestic cricket, both figuratively and literally. At 6 feet 4 inches, he is among the tallest pacers on tour, and his ability to swing the ball both ways makes him a rare commodity. In Rohit Sharma’s much-awaited return to the Ranji Trophy after almost a decade, Umar announced himself in style, dismissing the Indian captain and Ajinkya Rahane cheaply.
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Umar’s career has been defined by perseverance. Coming from a humble background in Jammu and Kashmir, he has faced challenges far beyond the cricket field. Political turmoil in his hometown often limited his opportunities, but Umar’s determination never wavered. His time as a net bowler for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL provided a glimpse of what could have been: a brush with the big stage that fueled his aspirations.
WATCH Rohit Sharma fall for 3 in Ranji Trophy return to Mumbai
In the Ranji match this morning, Umar’s performances reminded everyone of his potential. The match had become a spectacle, attracting crowds eager to witness the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ajinkya Rahane and Shreyas Iyer in action. However, it was Rohit Sharma’s rare return to the national stage after almost a decade that really electrified the atmosphere.
Umar removed Rohit Sharma cheaply with a delivery that moved late and bounced off the surface and bowled Ajinkya Rahane with a classic setup, showcasing his skills as a pacer who can extract bounce and swing at will. He went on to dismiss Hardik Tamore and Shivam Dube as Mumbai were reduced to 47/7.
In 2019, Umar opened up about his struggles and growth as a bowler. “In the past I was guilty of bowling a couple of meters too short, which is why I wasn’t as successful. On tracks where there is pacer help, if you bowl and bowl at a sustained pace, you can trouble most of the batsmen,” he told The Indian Express in 2019.
Fitness has also played an important role in Umar’s career. Umar, now 31, has lost more than 15kg in recent years to become leaner, stronger and more durable, a critical factor for any fast bowler.
For Umar, the journey is not just about individual milestones or days when he bids farewell to stalwarts like Rohit or Rahane.
Representing a rising team in Jammu and Kashmir, his performances serve as an inspiration to cricketers from underrepresented areas like Kishtwar and Kupwara. Not many from this part of the world have gained wide popularity in Indian cricket, with rare exceptions like Umran Malik and Parvez Rasool.
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