Equipped with a unique bowling action and a lethal yorker, when Jasprit Bumrah marks his run-up, we know a ‘Boom’ will ensue.

In a conversation with Ian Bishop and Shaun Pollock on Cricbuzz, Bumrah opened up about fast bowling, maintaining fitness during the lockdown and his chemistry with Lasith Malinga.

Will getting back to bowling be easy after the lockdown?

“I’ve been training almost six days a week, but have not bowled for a long period of time. So I don’t know how the body will react when I bowl the first ball."

The secret behind his action and an on-field bag of tricks

Ever since he made his IPL debut, there have always been talks of Bumrah's bowling action but what is the inspiration behind it?

“Everything I’ve learned is through television, maybe by watching videos. So I don’t know how this action developed. There is no proper reasoning but there are always a few people doubting if I should change it or not but I’ve never really listened to them. I always knew that it would work if I had a belief in it.”

It does look like Bumrah likes to make sure his tool kit of tricks is as new and fresh as possible.

“I always want to bring new things to my game. Nowadays, with so many video footage going around and homework being done, people would figure you out. That’s why I always want to keep on evolving.”

What also helps him perfect his game is learning from seniors and fellow players. He doesn't mind seeking suggestions.

“Whenever I have a chat with a senior bowler, it could be international cricket or IPL, I just ask him for general feedback."

Exchanges with Lasith Malinga

Bumrah says that throughout their time at the Mumbai Indians camp together, Malinga was kind enough to share his journey with him. He admits that while the two don’t really share a lot of technical details, they do discuss team tactics and how to use the yorkers better.

“He is the best yorker bowler in the world and has used it for such a long period of time to the best of his advantage. So probably asking questions like how to use it better, what I can get out of it, and in what situations I could use it, all of these discussions were very good with him"

Trying the longer run-up

“I’ve tried bowling with a longer run-up, but it didn’t increase my pace or there was not a lot of difference,” Bumrah explained, when asked why he never switched to a traditional run-up. He also highlighted the advantages of having a shorter run-up.

“This does help me while playing Test matches because when I’m bowling my fourth or fifth spell, coming back again and again, I’m relatively fresh than the bowlers who have a longer run-up.” We’re okay as long as it works, aren’t we?

Bumrah on dealing with the naysayers

His unique bowling action has, without a doubt, come under scrutiny multiple times. “Wherever I went, the feedback would be that this guy wouldn’t do anything properly. He won’t be a top-rated bowler, he won’t be able to play for a long period of time. With this kind of action, he’s only going to bowl here and there and won’t be successful.”

However, Bumrah underlines that belief in oneself goes a long way. “The only validation that you require in this day and age is your own validation. It doesn’t really matter if the world thinks you’re a good bowler or a bad one, but if you think you could do it, that is the only validation that’ll help you move forward.”

Cricket post the pandemic ends

No saliva, no high-fiving, and no hugging when cricket restarts, Bishop told the youngster. “I was not much of a hugger anyway even when we played cricket before. Not a high-five person as well and I don’t celebrate a lot. So that doesn’t really trouble me a lot.

“But the only thing that interests me is the saliva bit. I don’t know what guidelines there will be when we come back but I feel there should be an alternative,” stating how important it is for the bowlers, given the aid it brings to help tackle the pitches that are becoming increasingly batsmen-friendly.

For now, the ace Indian bowler is just taking this break as an opportunity to provide the body rest while exercising enough to get back on track as soon as conditions allow cricket to be played. But when he does come back, will it all be the same? Will he be better? Only time will tell.