Bharat Arun revealed that Jasprit Bumrah had to make several sacrifices to sustain his unorthodox action, driven by his deep love for bowling.
The Sacrifices Behind Bumrah’s Success
Jasprit Bumrah might be modern cricket’s most unique fast bowler, a rare weapon effective across all three formats. Yet, like any great pacer, his rise is built on immense effort, discipline, and development.
India’s former bowling coach Bharat Arun, who first worked with Bumrah at the NCA, recalled how the pacer had to transform his lifestyle to sustain his unorthodox action over time. “He could bowl quick, and so we discussed with the physio and conditioning coach. I didn’t want to touch his action because it generates pace, but it also puts him under stress,” Arun explained in an interview with Bombay Sport.
The focus, therefore, shifted to Bumrah’s fitness and diet—what Arun described as ‘sacrifices.’ To withstand the demands of fast bowling, Bumrah was told he had to become “like a bull,” committing to exercise, discipline, and clean eating. “In all fairness, Bumrah changed instantly. He began eating healthy, worked in the gym, and showed the same dedication as Virat Kohli,” Arun revealed.
And just like Kohli, Bumrah had to cut out his favorite indulgences. “He loved burgers, pizzas, milkshakes. He gave up everything overnight. A Punjabi boy living in Gujarat — but his love for bowling was greater than any craving,” said Arun, summing up the mindset that turned Bumrah into one of cricket’s greatest fast bowlers.
Bumrah’s Unique Action and Fitness Commitment
Arun revealed that discussions about modifying Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling action date back to an U19 camp at the NCA in 2013. At the time, there were attempts to remodel his style into something more orthodox, but the move was soon abandoned when it became evident that Bumrah’s strength and effectiveness came from his unorthodox action.