Former India skipper Kapil Dev has observed that India pacer Jasprit Bumrah’s unusual bowling action attracted injuries in most of the cases as he uses his arm more than the body. Kapil has explained the importance of having a sound technique. He compared Jasprit Bumrah to Bhuvneshwar Kumar by saying a bowler like Bhuvneshwar Kumar with a technically sound action will last longer.
Kapil Dev retired in 1994, but he is still one of India’s leading Test wicket-takers among pace bowlers, with 434 wickets. He believes that a bowler’s action needs to be technically sound for greater impact.
Kapil Dev said, “Take the example of Bishan Bedi. He was a body bowler, not an arm bowler like most spinners or wrist bowlers. He was technically the best spin bowler because he bowled with the body. Look at Gavaskar as a batsman — technically flawless. Even today, at 70, give him a bat, and he will come out technically very sound. But if a batsman is an ‘eye player’ he is more enjoyable to watch. Like Virender Sehwag, (GR) Viswanath. Take Sachin Tendulkar. He could have played for another five years because he was technically sound.”
“So if your bowling action is technically sound you make a bigger impact. See what happened to (Jasprit) Bumrah, his action attracts injuries. He uses his arm more than the body, so that can be a problem. A bowler like Bhuvneshwar (Kumar) will last longer because he uses his body,” he added.
The legendary bowler also highlights the importance of identifying the length and keeping the ball up to pick up wickets.
The 60-year-old former skipper said, “Unfortunately Indian bowlers tend to bowl short in Australia because they get carried away after seeing the bounce. In the process, they forget line and length. I can understand because when the wicketkeeper collects the ball in front of his face it cheers you up. But it does not always get you wickets. Shami is guilty of that. He bowls a yard shorter when he plays overseas.”
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