Bipin Dani
Team India’s fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling action is unique. While releasing the ball his hand moves right to left without bending and then the finger flicks the ball as well.
So the ball comes diagonally at a higher pace. That’s too much movement in an unplayable angle. Bumrah had to deal with a stress fracture to the back before – in 2019. He endured a lengthy layoff due to this injury.
More recently, he had already missed the Asia Cup in the UAE owing to back spasms and now is out of the series against the ongoing South Africa series and doubtful for the World Cup due to begin in Australia.
“Such repeated bouts of lower back pain need to be investigated with the expertise of Orthopaedic surgeons specialising in spine.
Once the cause and extent of damage is established then appropriate physiotherapy treatment and strengthening can be started with gradual progression into cricket bowling. The bigger problem that needs to be addressed is adequate rest and recovery”, Deckline Leitao, the sports conditioning and fitness specialist says.
“In cricket fast bowlers lower back injuries are always a risk due to the powerful twisting motion. Therefore, the first time the pain shows up it has to be nipped in the bud.
Playing through the pain and trying to handle it without expert orthopaedic opinion can make a player lose months and sometimes prime years of play. No Pain No Gain… doesn’t work at ground level in any sport and only causes more damage”, he added.
“Bumrah’s bowling action makes him one of the toughest bowlers to face, but his action is prone to injuries and that will be a part of his career. Back injuries are career threatening and he is a national treasure. I guess he will have to balance his schedule of the ipl and the other three formats of the game.
He has earned it to pick and choose his battles. If he misses out at t20 wc it will be a huge loss but it will at least help him in pacing himself better for next year’s event. He is a very confident and mature cricketer. He lives in the moment and the process”, Badri Narayan, a certified mental conditioning coach said.
Good and specific training program needs to be designed for Bumrah, according to Ramji Srinivasan, who has worked with the Indian team in the past, said. “Counselling sessions are of vital importance for keeping the motivational level up by negative and insecure thought processes.
A good team work is of paramount importance to put the play back to the game by firing on all cylinders. I am sure there is a wear with all in BCCI to take care of him. He is a rock star and needs to be taken care of with utmost professionalism. Wishing him a speedy recovery and coming back with a bang”, he said.
