Glenn McGrath advised Jasprit Bumrah not to change his action

It was back in 2013 when a lanky 19-year-old pacer with an action which is a degree more than what we call unorthodox, debuted in the Indian Premier League, that too playing for one of the most consistent teams, Mumbai Indians. It was the then head coach of the franchise, John Wright who had spotted the bowler with an extraordinary ability to nag the bowlers in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

His first season was not much to be spoken of. Bowling just 7 overs, he conceded 70 runs at an expensive economy rate of 10 runs per over. But since then, the bowler has improved every passing day. In his initial years, many cricket pundits advised the current best T20I bowler in the world to change his action, since they thought that his uncanny action won’t do him any good.

McGrath’s life-changing advice

But one suggestion that Bumrah got from someone he holds very high was to change his action, not then, not ever? It was the legendary Australian pacer, Glenn McGrath, who told him to keep his action as natural as it is. The young and budding talent was able to avail the mentorship of a pacer who is known for his ferocious yorkers, Lasith Malinga. After around 4 years, that player who got thrashed by Chris Gayle in his early days is one of the best pacers in the world.

The best thing about his yorkers is his accuracy, it is perfectly pitched, lightning strikes and look so easy to bowl. Another great aspect of Bumrah’s bowling is his ability to produce economical overs in the death overs of the game. A day after India won the T20I series against New Zealand owing to Bumrah’s magical spell, BehindTheSeams.TV revealed that McGrath was the man who convinced Bumrah not to change his action. Most certainly, the joyous Indian fans will thank the Aussie for this life-changing advice.