Ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah is part of India’s bowling unit for the upcoming Asia Cup. While his fitness still remains a concern for some, former India bowling coach Bharat Arun went back in time to discuss the sacrifices Bumrah made to become the bowler he is.
In the latest episode of Bombay Sport Exchange, the former player recalled an old story when he met Bumrah during the U-19 camp at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.
“In 2013, Bumrah had come to the NCA for an U-19 camp and pitched for selection. He couldn’t make the team, but he was in the 30-member camp,” he said.
Arun revealed that he initially wanted to alter Bumrah’s bowling action, but couldn’t as he was impressed by the pace it generated.
“What’s the point in having a great action if the balls aren’t effective? So we had a discussion with the physio and the strength and conditioning coach. We said, ‘I wouldn’t want to touch his action because it’s very unique and generates a lot of pace’. But it also puts him under stress.”
As an alternative, the former bowling coach suggested some changes which the pacer quickly paid heed to.
“We called him (Bumrah) and told him ‘To take the impact of fast bowling, you need to be like a bull. That comes down to diet, exercise, and sacrifices.’ In all fairness, Bumrah instantaneously changed. He started eating healthy, he was working in the gym,” Arun recalled.
Bumrah’s dedication made him give up the things that he loved, revealed Arun. “Like Virat Kohli, he was extremely dedicated. He loved burgers, pizzas, milkshakes. But overnight he gave up everything. A Punjabi boy living in Gujarat — but his love for bowling was greater than any food craving.”
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