Jasprit Bumrah’s former coach at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and 1983 World Cup winner Balwinder Singh Sandhu has blasted those criticising the fast bowler for resting from two Test matches during India’s tour of England.
Different rules for batters and bowlers
Sandhu questioned those who are selectively critical. While batters often skip Test matches for various reasons, if and when a bowler does, especially one of Bumrah’s quality, everyone is up in arms about it.
“In these seven years, how many batsmen have gone without injury breaks? How many have opted out of a series quietly? Nobody really questions them. But when it comes to a fast bowler, everyone seems ready to pounce. The truth is — fast bowling is brutal,” Sandhu wrote in a column for Mid-Day.
Bumrah overworked
The former pacer wrote how Bumrah has little to no time to recover. Even in matches he plays, he’s usually delivering the most overs. Everyone calls Mohammed Siraj a workhorse, but in the matches where both have played, Bumrah has bowled more overs than Siraj. Sandhu wants people to realise how tough it is for fast bowlers to perform day after day and how they are punishing their bodies.
“I was stunned when I saw these numbers. Jasprit Bumrah has had an average rest of just 3.2 days for every playing day across the last seven years, while Mohammed Siraj has had 3.5 days, and Mohammed Shami, 3.7. And remember — both Bumrah and Shami have also missed matches because of injuries. That only makes these statistics even more telling.”
“It’s easy to criticise these pacers who have carried the load for India over the years, but when you see the actual numbers, one realises how punishing the life of a fast bowler is. These numbers reveal how much strain their bodies have endured,” he added.
Difficulties due to biomechanics
As an NCA coach himself, Sandhu saw Bumrah from close, even before he made his India debut. At that time, he didn’t think the pacer would have a good career due to his unorthodox action, which put a heavy load on his back.
“I worked with Bumrah at the National Cricket Academy, before he even broke into the Indian team. When I studied his bowling action and biomechanics on video back then, to be honest, I didn’t think he’d last this long — given his strenuous action and the workload demands of a fast bowler. But what stood out was his attitude, discipline, and dedication. He kept working tirelessly, not just on his skills, but more importantly on his fitness — building the strength needed to handle the load his unique action puts on the body,” the 69-year-old added.
For the same reasons, the ace pacer can’t be compared with others. Other legendary bowlers didn’t have an action or run-up like his. Most of them who had long careers were smooth through the crease, and when it came to their action, Bumrah isn’t. In fact, most of his speed comes from his action itself, mostly from his strong arm and wrist.
“Someone like Bumrah generates pace, not from a long run-up, but from sheer strength. And when you rely on strength, your muscles are bound to suffer wear and tear. Compare Bumrah to legends like Kapil Dev, Wasim Akram, Richard Hadlee, or Malcolm Marshall. They all had smoother biomechanics and long careers, but even they weren’t spared from injuries. Research has shown that about 40 per cent of a pacer’s speed comes from the momentum of the run-up. Bumrah, with his slow run-up, puts extra load on his body to generate that pace,” he said.
Enjoy Bumrah while you can
Sandhu hopes that people stop this bickering about Bumrah’s workload management and just enjoy his mastery. Not just him but all Indian fast bowlers who have given their all.
“So, instead of hammering these bowlers for “choosing matches” let’s enjoy watching them perform whenever they can. Enjoy the skills, the execution, the moments they create,” wrote Sandhu.
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