Jasprit Bumrah might be perched at the top of ICC’s ODI rankings for bowlers but his unorthodox bowling action has seen many fear an injury is round the corner ever since he made his international debut.
Having established himself as one of the premier bowlers in the limited-overs formats, Bumrah’s transition to red-ball cricket has been equally seamless with the pacer now a frontline bowler for India in Test cricket.
Despite his rapid rise, Bumrah’s bowling action has attracted scrutiny with many former players expressing their reservations over its long-term durability.
However, Bumrah remains unperturbed by such fears.
“I don’t focus on what the experts are saying or not,” the India man told Scroll.
“I focus on what has helped me and and I try to focus on my body and what do I need to keep myself fit. There is no perfect action in cricket. Tell me a bowler who has not got injured. I focus on how to improve my fitness levels,” Bumrah added.
Bumrah is the No1 ranked ODI bowler in the world.
The 24-year-old was handed a rest in the recently concluded Test series against the West Indies after his exertions in England and the Asia Cup but he will have a big role to play when India’s tour of Australia gets underway at the end of the year.
Ahead of what will be his maiden Test tour of Australia, Bumrah is keeping an open mind with regards to the conditions on offer.
“When I reach Australia, I will assess the wickets. Because sometimes going there with pre-conceived notions and then it doesn’t happen, so you are in no space. I’ll go there, see the conditions and plan according to that,” he explained.
The rest afforded to the pacer after a long summer has also recharged Bumrah’s batteries.
“It is always good to have a break. Whenever you return from the break, the hunger is back, the body is fresh, you are up and running in good spirit,” said the India man.
Bumrah has been given a further rest by the team management with the pacer not selected for the first two ODIs against the Windies.