Jasprit Bumrah: The GOAT Indian Fast Bowler

The Indian Cricket Team has had some incredible fast bowlers that have dismantled opposition bowling lineup with their craft with the leather ball in hand. Kapil Deb, Javagal Srinath, Zaheer Khan, Ajit Agarkar, Mohammad Shami, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma and so many others have lead our bowling lineup to successes across different formats. But if we had to name one bowler who could do it all, was equally effective and reliable in any format of the game, be it in test matches, ODIs or T20s, it has to be one of India’s greatest fast bowlers ever, Jasprit Bumrah. His pace, his accuracy with both the white and the red leather ball, and most importantly, the bowling action have made Jaspirt Bumrah a modern great for the Indian Cricket Team.

So, in this article by ZAP, let’s go through the life and career of Jasprit Bumrah, look at his stats and records and figure out what makes him such a special bowler. 

Jasprit Bumrah - Early Life, Family Background and Domestic Cricket Career

Jasprit Bumrah was born on December 6, 1993, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat and right now his age is 30 years old, into a Sikh Punjabi family. His father, Jasbir Singh passed away from hepatitis B when Jasprit was only five years old. After his father's death, his mother, Daljeet Bumrah worked as a school teacher and raised Jasprit and his sister Juhika.

They grew up in a middle-class environment in Ahmedabad, and he attended and played cricket for the same school's team. Unlike many young cricketers who dream of batting, Jasprit was more interested in bowling and spent hours practicing. However, due to his unconventional bowling action, he often went unnoticed by selectors.

In 2010, Jasprit Bumrah’s talent and hard work came to fruition, and he was selected for the state Under-19 team. In the 2012-13 season, Bumrah made his T20 debut for Gujarat in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. His standout performance came in the final against Punjab, where he took 3 wickets for 14 runs, earning the Man of the Match award and helping Gujarat win the title. His impressive showing caught the attention of John Wright, then head coach of the Mumbai Indians, who signed him for the team.

Also Read: First Class Cricket | Ranji Trophy

Jasprit Bumrah - International Cricket Career

Jasprit Bumrah made his international debut in January 2016 at the age of 24 in an ODI against Australia, where he took his first wicket, Steve Smith. He quickly impressed in T20Is too, taking three wickets against Australia and becoming the highest wicket-taker in the series. His early success continued in the 2016 ICC World Twenty20 and India's tour of Zimbabwe, where he was the top wicket-taker in both series.

In 2018, Bumrah made his Test debut in South Africa and took his first five-wicket haul. He excelled in the 2018 series against England and Australia, becoming the first Asian bowler to take five-wicket hauls in Australia, England, and South Africa in a single year. He was India's leading wicket-taker in the 2019 Cricket World Cup and achieved a hat-trick in a Test match against the West Indies. Despite injuries in 2022 and 2023, Bumrah made strong comebacks, including leading India in a series against Ireland. He was a key player in the 2023 Cricket World Cup, finishing as one of the top wicket-takers. He became the quickest Indian pacer to take 150 test wickets and second fastest Indian bowler to take 100 wickets in ODI. Along with that, he is the first bowler in the world to achieve No. 1 ICC Men’s Player ranking in all three formats of the game.

A lot of cricket freaks would be shocked to know that Bumrah holds the record of scoring the highest number of runs in an over in test cricket. He achieved this feat in a match against England when he smashed 35 runs to Stuart Broad in a single over. 

Jasprit Bumrah Stats and International Wickets

Jasprit Bumrah has been a standout bowler across all formats of international cricket. In Tests, he has played 36 matches, taking 159 wickets with best bowling figures of 6/27 and achieving 10 five-wicket hauls, boasting an impressive bowling average of 20.69 and an economy rate of 2.74. In ODIs, he has featured in 89 matches, claiming 149 wickets, with his best performance being 6/19, and maintaining a bowling average of 23.55 and an economy rate of 4.59. In T20Is, Bumrah has taken 74 wickets in 62 matches, with best figures of 3/11, an average of 19.66, and an economy rate of 6.55. 

Jasprit Bumrah’s Mumbai Indians IPL Career

Bumrah's IPL Career with the Mumbai Indians (MI) began in 2013 when he was scouted by John Wright. Since then, Bumrah has been a key player for MI, helping them win five IPL titles (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020). In his debut match in 2013, he made a huge statement by taking wickets of legends including Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. But despite limited play time initially, he quickly became a crucial bowler for the team. By the 2016 season, he was MI's second-leading wicket-taker, and in 2017, he had become their top bowler, playing a vital role in winning the title. He set personal records in 2020 with 27 wickets, making him the second-highest wicket-taker of the season. Despite an injury in 2023 and misssing out on playing an entire season, he made a strong comeback in 2024, being one of the best players for the Mumbai India’s overall poor season.

What’s special about Jasprit Bumrah’s Bowling Action and Technique?

Boom Boom Bumrah might seem like a simple and innocent guy outside the field. But once he steps on the ground, he is a different person altogether. He can get all hot and fiery and be a nightmare to the biggest and best batters in the world. Jasprit Bumrah's bowling action and technique are unique and make him stand out among fast bowlers. His unorthodox action includes hyperextended elbows and a short run-up with small, stuttering strides. Despite his stiff-armed action, he generates a high pace and releases the ball in a way that makes it difficult for batsmen to read. 

Also Read: Fast Bowling Techniques

Apart from his god gifted speed, it’s his variations that make him a perfect, devastating fast bowler. There is nothing he can’t deliver. If the captain wants him to start with a new ball, he will do that, if the captain asks him to be economical and provide breakthroughs, he will do that too. Such is the vastness of his caliber. He always has a lot of variations in his kitty and it’s his ball that does the talking then. 

Bumrah is known for several key skills:

Jasprit Bumrah's Yorkers: One of the best abilities that Bumrah has is bowling toecrushing yorkers. He frequently bowls pinpoint yorkers at well over 140 kmph, which is very difficult for batsmen to hit as they target the base of the stumps.

Jasprit Bumrah’s Swing Bowling: Bumrah’s calibre of bowling with the new ball makes him Indian Cricket Team’s frontline pacer in the powerplay overs. His pace, swing and accuracy often get him wickets in the initial overs. 

Jasprit Bumrah death overs bowling: Bumrah is one of the best death overs bowler in the world. His yorkers, his pace variation, his pacy bouncers make it very difficult for batsmen to hit and you need to be on your A game to face a bowler like Bumrah.

Jasprit Bumrah's pace and speed: Bumrah's consistent high pace and speed add another layer of difficulty for batsmen. Even with his short run up and a unique bowling acton, he consistently bowls at an average speed of 142 km/h, with his fastest delivery recorded at 153 km/h. This speed, combined with his precision, makes his deliveries hard to face.

Jasprit Bumrah variations: He mixes his deliveries with good line and length, short balls, and his famous yorkers.

Also Read: Fast Bowling Variations | Swing Bowling in Cricket

Bumrah's unusual bowling technique has raised concerns about potential back injuries because he generates speed primarily from his shoulders and back. However, experts like former fast bowlers Dennis Lillee and Ashish Nehra believe his action, though different, is effective and repeatable. Bumrah himself has cited influences like Mitchell Johnson, Wasim Akram, Brett Lee, and Lasith Malinga, learning from their styles to develop his own.

Also Read: The Fastest Bowlers in the World | Best Swing Bowlers in the World

Jasprit Bumrah’s Fitness and Injuries:

Credit: The Quint

Jasprit Bumrah has faced several fitness challenges throughout his career. His first major back issue surfaced in September 2019, following a successful tour in the West Indies. Scans revealed a lower-back stress fracture, sidelining him for four months and causing him to miss multiple series. He didn't undergo surgery but received treatment in the UK, returning to cricket in early 2020 during India’s tour of New Zealand.

Read More: Cricket Injuries and Treatment | Exercises and Workouts for Fast Bowlers

In mid-2022, Bumrah experienced back spasms during a series in England, leading to concerns. By August 2022, he was not selected for the Asia Cup due to back issues and underwent rehab. He briefly returned for T20Is against Australia and South Africa but was ruled out again due to back pain. This injury ultimately kept him out of the 2022 T20 World Cup. Despite attempts to rush his return, Bumrah continued to face setbacks. In early 2023, he was briefly added to the ODI squad for the Sri Lanka series but withdrew due to a stiff back. 

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