Jasprit Bumrah's Stress Fracture Has Nothing To Do With His Action: Ashish Nehra

The Indian cricket team were dealt a massive blow when Jasprit Bumrah, their gun speedster was ruled out of the three Test series against South Africa due to a back stress fracture. Bumrah had been India's key factor in their success overseas in 2018, picking up five wicket hauls in South Africa, England, Australia and West Indies. The Gujarat pacer's success in Australia helped India win a series Down Under for the first time. In the series against West Indies, Bumrah took a hat-trick and became the quickest Indian pacer to 50 wickets. 
Many people believe said Bumrah's unorthodox action could have possibly contributed to his stress fracture. However, Ashish Nehra, the former India pacer who was himself plagued with injuries during his 17-year playing career, has said his action has nothing to do with his stress fracture. 

"Stress fracture is unrelated to action and we must get our concepts clear. He doesn't need to change his action and if he tries to do that, it won't be great. Let me assure you when he comes back, he can bowl with same action, intensity and pace. His action is not that unconventional as it is made out to be. The alignment of his body at the time of delivery is perfect. The only aspect that is not copy book is his left hand (works like a pivot), which doesn't go up. Even then, his action is 10 times better than Malinga. Malinga's knees, back leg bends giving a look of a javelin thrower," Nehra told in an interaction with PTI. 

Also Read | Jasprit Bumrah Eyes Strong Comeback After Stress Fracture Rules Him Out Of South Africa Series

Bumrah was rested after the end of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 where India lost to New Zealand in the semi-final but Nehra explained the dynamics of a stress fracture, saying that this is a type of back injury that doesn't involve any surgical process and can never be apprehended.

Also Read | India Vs South Africa: Umesh Yadav Replaces Jasprit Bumrah In Test Squad

"He had a month's break post ODI World Cup. He didn't play white ball format and came for Test matches. But that means workload was well managed but still he had that fracture. Now can you explain why? Had they not done scans, they wouldn't even had figured as players wouldn't immediately figure out they have stress fracture. Stress fracture is detected through bone scans and not MRI. In bone scan plates, you will see doctors pointing at various spots. These are stress spots. Now fast bowling is a strenuous activity and do a bone scan of any bowler and you will see those spots. Do you stop playing? It's just that you have to manage it well as some injuries are chronic," Nehra explained. 

The former left-arm pacer has said too much noise has been made about workload management and that a player can only get better if he plays a lot of games. "At this stage of Bumrah's career, the more he plays, better he will get at it. Jessi is only 25 or 26 years old. He is playing international cricket for three years and he knows his body well. He will come back stronger and the pace in his deliveries will remain intact," Nehra said. 

RELATED