A bowler consistently delivering pinpoint yorkers, maintaining accuracy in the same channel, and persistently troubling batters — perhaps the finest example of such dominance in cricket today is Jasprit Bumrah.
Despite the batsman-friendly era, Bumrah continues to instill fear. His name is back in the spotlight after his stunning performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which began yesterday with the Perth Test. As captain, Bumrah led India to a 46-run lead despite their first-innings collapse for just 150, thanks to his exceptional bowling.
The 30-year-old pacer dismantled Australia’s batting lineup. He claimed four wickets on Day 1 and added another by removing Alex Carey on the second morning. This marked the 11th time Bumrah has taken five or more wickets in a Test innings, tying for the second-highest tally among Indian pacers.
Yet, after wreaking havoc on Australia, questions about Bumrah’s bowling action have resurfaced. Some Australians are skeptical of whether his action is legal.
One social media user questioned, “How did Jasprit Bumrah get clearance to bowl with this action? It’s clearly chucking.” Another noted, “Fox Cricket analyzed Bumrah’s technique in slow motion, and I noticed his bent elbow and signs of chucking.”
However, Indian fans have strongly dismissed these claims, labeling them as part of a “conspiracy.”
Accusations against a bowler performing well against Australia are not new. The most notable example is Muttiah Muralitharan, who faced relentless scrutiny from Australian umpires Tony McQuillan, Ross Emerson, and Darrell Hair in the 1990s.
Like Muralitharan, Bumrah’s unconventional bowling has prompted some to suspect his action. One Indian supporter compared the situation, stating, “It’s just like Murali. This is a natural condition, and nothing can be done against it.”
Why Isn’t Bumrah’s Action Illegal?
The concerns about Bumrah’s “bent elbow” arise not from illegal chucking but from a condition called “hyperextension,” where the elbow naturally extends beyond normal limits.
Hypermobility, which allows joints to move beyond their typical range, is the underlying reason Bumrah’s action may appear unconventional. From certain angles, this can make his action seem questionable, though it adheres to the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) rules.
Per ICC regulations, a bowler’s elbow cannot extend more than 15 degrees when delivering the ball. While some claim Bumrah’s elbow exceeds this limit, umpires have never flagged his action for review or testing.
In contrast, Pakistani pacer Mohammad Hasnain faced scrutiny for a somewhat similar action in 2022. After being banned for “chucking,” his action was tested at an ICC-accredited biomechanics lab, which eventually cleared him.
Bangladesh’s former bowling coach Ian Pont once explained why Bumrah’s action is legal, while others like Hasnain were flagged. Posting an image of Bumrah’s delivery on X (formerly Twitter), Pont clarified, “You can clearly see his forearm from the wrist to the elbow. The rule states that it should not bend more than 15 degrees from the vertical. His hyperextension makes it look different, but it’s within the legal limit.”
The Science Behind Bumrah’s Bowling Action
Bumrah’s hypermobility gives him two distinct advantages, according to Paul Felton, a senior lecturer in biomechanics at Nottingham Trent University. Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Felton said, “Firstly, he can hold onto the ball for a longer time, increasing speed. Secondly, he releases the ball closer to the batter, reducing their reaction time.”
Australian batter David Warner, who has faced Bumrah multiple times, summed up the challenge ahead of the Perth Test. “The toughest thing about facing Bumrah is his action. If you’ve never faced him before, it can be incredibly challenging to adjust.”
Despite the scrutiny, Bumrah remains a unique talent, proving his worth with every spell. As history shows, doubters often target the exceptional, but they rarely succeed in tarnishing greatness.
