IND vs IRE: Jasprit Bumrah Slightly Remodels His Bowling Action To Stay Injury Free, Reveals NCA Coach

The 29-year-old India National Cricket Team premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah has remodeled his bowling action slightly to stay injury free, revealed a National Cricket Academy (NCA) Level-III certified coach.

Bumrah made his comeback to competitive cricket after a long wait of 327 days in the first T20I of the three-match series against Paul Stirling-led Ireland National Cricket Team at the Malahide in Dublin on Friday, August 18.

Jasprit Bumrah made an instant impact with the ball as in the first over, he castled Andy Balbirnie on his second ball and then bowled two dots before dismissing the wicketkeeper-batter Lorcan Tucker for a duck on the fifth delivery of the over.

The pacer looked in good control from the very beginning and he carried the same momentum throughout his spell. He bowled staggering lines and lengths and gave away just 24 runs in his 4-over quota.

Jasprit Bumrah was out of action since September 2022 due to a back injury and underwent surgery and extensive rehabilitation to make his return to cricket.

Speaking to PTI, an NCA Level-III certified coach said that Bumrah has increased his run-up with bigger follow-through in order to avoid any big injuries.

“Prior to his stress fracture breakdown, if you closely watch Bumrah’s bowling videos, he would first briskly walk six to seven steps and then load up at the bowling crease on his seventh stride to unleash his thunderbolts,” an NCA Level-III certified coach told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

“While watching him bowl against Ireland, one could witness that he has increased his run-up by 2-3 strides with a bigger follow-through compared to earlier times. It’s not a massive revamp of his action but a slight bit of remodeling in order to stay injury free for a long time,” the coach added.

“It is all about having an increased momentum which is a must for tearaway quick bowlers,” the coach explained.

The decision to slightly increase stride and bigger follow through is purely his decision – NCA coach on Jasprit Bumrah

The coach said that Jasprit Bumrah’s run-up earlier was such that didn’t give him momentum and he was bound to suffer an injury, but post his injury he has increased 2-3 strides with bigger follow-through to put less pressure on his back.

“Boom was earlier like a fighter jet. Even shorter run-up after a few rapid walking strides meant that entire pace that he generated came from the thrust provided by his shoulder and back. The injury was bound to happen because his run-up hardly gave him any momentum.

“But post injury, he has increased I guess 2-3 strides at the max. Now fast bowling requires strong legs. The slightly longer run-up is giving him time to build the momentum and allow his legs to be a force multiplier. And then a slightly longer follow-through that puts less pressure on the back just after release. I am sure this will help him in curbing injuries in future,” he observed.

The coach added that Jasprit Bumrah’s pace will increase as he plays more games. It was also revealed by the NCA coach that Jasprit Bumrah himself made the decision to slightly tweak his action and he was helped by the coaches.

“Pace comes with rhythm. The best part was that he looked very fit and as he builds miles in his legs, the pace will automatically increase with every game,” the coach added.

“The NCA’s designated coaches must have worked with Bumrah but those who have seen him from close quarter over the past seven years, feel that he doesn’t exactly have a coach. The decision to slightly increase stride and bigger follow through is purely his decision with coaches helping him. He must have at least practiced for a month, built on his muscle memory before trying that out in a match,” he further added.