Jasprit Bumrah, the Indian team’s star bowler, has long been a workhorse in the pace department. However, the current No. 1 Test bowler had to put in a lot of devotion, hard work, and sacrifice to get to where he is now. Former India bowling coach Bharat Arun recently told how Bumrah, a gourmet at heart, experienced an incredible turnaround to become one of the best bowlers of his generation.
During his Under-19 years, Bumrah attended the National Cricket Academy (NCA), where Arun and his support crew coached the pacer. The Ahmedabad native possessed a distinct motion, which the coaches attempted to improve, but ultimately resulted in a lack of velocity. As a result, they had to change his body through a tight diet and regular exercise.
“He [Bumrah] could bowl quick, and so we discussed with the physio and the strength and conditioning coach. We said, I wouldn’t want to touch his action because it’s very unique and generates a lot of pace. But it also puts him under stress,” Arun told TOI in an interview.
“We called him and told him: to take the impact of fast bowling, you need to be like a bull. That comes down to diet, exercise, and sacrifices. In all fairness, Bumrah instantaneously changed. He started eating healthy, he was working in the gym. Like Virat Kohli, he was extremely dedicated. 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 food craving,” Arun revealed further.
Jasprit Bumrah to be seen next in Asia Cup
Despite multiple talks concerning his workload management, Bumrah is fit and available for India’s campaign at the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. Included in the 15-member squad by the national selectors, he will be the leader of the Men in Blue’s pace attack alongside Arshdeep Singh. Bumrah and India are set to begin their campaign in the multinational tournament on September 10 against the UAE.
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