IPL 2021: Umran Malik joins SRH as Covid-19 replacement for Natarajan

The 2016 IPL champions Sunrisers Hyderabad have brought in medium pacer Umran Malik as a short-term Covid-19 replacement for T Natarajan in the ongoing IPL 2021 in the UAE. Natarajan had tested positive for Covid-19 before Hyderabad's match against the Delhi Capitals on September 22.

Under the Regulation 6.1 (c), franchises are allowed to sign a short-term replacement player until the original squad member is permitted to re-enter the team's bio-secure environment. Hence, Malik will only be a part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad side until Natarajan recovers and is allowed to join the team.

The 21-year-old Malik made his T20 and List A debut for Jammu and Kashmir this year. He picked one wicket on his List A debut against Bengal while scalping three wickets on T20 debut against Railways. Malik is already part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad team as a net bowler.

Hyderabad are currently at bottom of the points table with just two points from eight matches. They now face Punjab Kings on Saturday in Sharjah - IANS