'Umran Needs To Learn That...': Dale Steyn's Advice To Out-Of-Favour Pacer To Make A Comeback

Former South African fast bowler Dale Steyn has come up with crucial advice for pacer Umran Malik, who, after making a rocking start to his IPL as well as his India career in 2022, is now finding it difficult to find a place in his domestic team even. Umran, who made his IPL debut for Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2021, impressed with his express pace and was retained by the Hyderabad-based franchise ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction. Under the guidance of Steyn, who was associated with SRH in IPL 2022, Malik impressed everyone with his pace and wicket-taking abilities.

He picked up 22 wickets in 14 matches for SRH to finish as the fourth-highest wicket-taker in IPL 2022 and constantly touched the speed of more than 150 kmph, which also helped him

earn a place in the Indian team as well.

But now, four years later, he is struggling with form and fitness.

Amid Umran’s struggle, when a fan asked Steyn about his opinion on Umran’s failure in the last few years and what advice he would give him to make a comeback, the legendary pacer said that Umran needs to learn that he has more than one gear.

“Pace can be your friend as well as your biggest enemy. Umran needs to learn that he has more than 1 gear, once he starts to understand and master the art of shifting through the different paces on the respective surfaces, he’ll find his way back to where he belongs,” Steyn tweeted.

Pace can be your friend as well as your biggest enemy. Umran needs to learn that he has more than 1 gear, once he starts to understand and master the art of shifting through the different paces on the respective surfaces, he’ll find his way back to where he belongs.

— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) January 27, 2026

During the Q/A session on X, Steyn was also asked what advice he would give to aspiring fast bowlers in 2026, especially those dealing with T20 leagues vs Test cricket? and he said, “Never underestimate a good length. I can guarantee you, if that’s all you bowled all season, you’d still pick up more wickets and lower economy rate than those with all the slower balls and different variations.”

While replying to the question asked about the key to fast bowler fitness? Steyn worte, “Staying bowling fit is key, managing yourself well is obviously important, but to bowl you need to always be bowling.”