Jasprit Bumrah Cricket Career Explained
Jasprit Bumrah is India's leading fast bowler with an unorthodox action and mastery across all formats. This guide covers his rise from Gujarat, unique delivery style, and record-breaking Test performances.
Who Is Jasprit Bumrah?
Jasprit Bumrah is India's premier fast bowler — the first Indian pacer to be ranked world No. 1 in all three ICC formats simultaneously. Born in Ahmedabad, he rose through domestic cricket with an extraordinary unorthodox slingy action that baffles batters worldwide. His control of reverse swing and yorkers at death makes him one of the most complete bowlers of his generation.
The Unusual Bowling Action
Bumrah's action is completely unorthodox. He runs in with a short approach, loads through a chest-on position, and delivers the ball from a low arm angle that creates an unusual trajectory. Many coaches would have tried to correct it — instead, his coaches at Baroda Cricket Association let him develop naturally. The result is an action that hides the ball until very late, making it extremely difficult to pick.
IPL and Breakthrough
Bumrah made his IPL debut for Mumbai Indians in 2013 at age 19. His death-bowling — specifically his ability to bowl yorkers under pressure — made him an instant standout. By 2016 he was India's first-choice death bowler in ODIs and T20Is, and his Test debut followed in South Africa in 2018.
Test Record and 2021 England Tour
Despite the conventional wisdom that Bumrah's action would struggle on flatter pitches, he has excelled in Test cricket. On the 2021 England tour he took a Test hat-trick at Trent Bridge — the first by an Indian pacer in England. He also reverse-swung the old ball devastatingly in overcast conditions, showing Test match craft beyond raw pace.
Injury and Return
Bumrah has managed recurring stress fractures in his back — a risk with unusual high-load actions. He missed significant time in 2022-23 with a lumbar stress fracture. His return was characterised by the same pace and control, suggesting excellent physical management. He led India in Tests and ODIs during injury absences of regular captain Rohit Sharma.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Bumrah's bowling action so unusual?
Bumrah uses a chest-on, low-arm slingy action that was developed naturally rather than coached into a standard template. It hides the ball late, generating unpredictable movement off the pitch and through the air.
What makes Bumrah good at death bowling?
Bumrah's yorker — a ball aimed at the batter's feet — is regarded as the most reliable in world cricket. He can bowl toe-crushing yorkers at high pace under pressure in the final overs of white-ball games.
Has Bumrah taken a Test hat-trick?
Yes. Bumrah took a Test hat-trick at Trent Bridge, Nottingham in August 2021 against England — the first hat-trick by an Indian pace bowler in England.