Veteran sports commentator Ian Maurice has blamed political correctness for cricket’s failure to hold Indian superstar Jasprit Bumrah up to scrutiny for what he believes is a suspect bowling action.
The Indian great has been a standout performer in this series and how well the Australians counter him in Melbourne and Sydney will go a long way to deciding whether they regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
The Aussies were left in tatters at 8-70 early on the second day of the Perth Test, largely because of Bumrah’s five-wicket haul as he ripped through the top order at Optus Stadium.
Cricket fans at the time called for the pace bowler’s action to be investigated, after he produced devastating swing in both directions off a short run-up.
On Monday, Maurice took to X to comment on the matter, posting: ‘Why has no one questioned the delivery of India paceman Bumrah? Is it not politically correct these days?
‘I’m not saying he’s throwing but at least the position of the arm at the point of delivery should be analyzed. Nine would have had it under the microscope some years ago.’
Indian paceman Jasprit Bumrah has been sensational throughout the Border-Gavaskar series
Former sports commentator Ian Maurice (pictured) believes cricket’s powers that be are refusing to analyse the paceman’s action because they’re afraid of being called racist
Bumrah’s unorthodox action has indeed been discussed over the years, with some comparing it to Pakistan bowler Mohammad Hasnain, who was banned from international cricket for throwing in 2022.
At the time, renowned bowling coach and former England player Ian Pont explained why Bumrah’s action is legal.
‘You can see his arm straight from the wrist to elbow. The rule is when it is above the vertical that the elbow must not bend past 15 degrees,’ Pont said.
‘You can clearly see the forward flexion in his arm, which is a hyperextension. This is allowed (a forward bend) for people with hyper-mobile joints.
‘A hyperextension is a movement in a similar direction to the direction of movement – not downward or to the side. This is why Bumrah’s action is classified as legal since it is within the guidelines of hypermobility.’
Nottingham Trent University senior lecturer in biomechanics Paul Felton has worked with numerous cricket coaches and further explained how the hypermobility is an advantage for Bumrah, but a legal one.
‘His hypermobility also provides further advantages (in) that he is able to maintain alignment throughout his bowling action which reduces variability in his control of line and length,’ he said.
‘So, his hypermobility makes him unique. That he’s able to maximise speed by accessing more optimal movement patterns which increases control and provide lower injury risk.’
Bumrah’s unique action has been discussed over the years, with several experts on the matter deeming it perfectly legal
Bumrah (pictured with wife Sanjana Ganesan) has been exceptional this year and crucial to the Indian team throughout the tour of Australia
Aussie cricket legend Greg Chappell says Bumrah’s technique is ‘unequivocally clean’
Aussie cricket legend Greg Chappell has also spoken on the matter, saying fans should stop questioning the 30-year-old’s technique.
‘India’s bowlers, spearheaded by the lethal Jasprit Bumrah, looked sharper and more menacing. Australia were bundled out for 104 in 52 overs, with Bumrah proving almost unplayable at times,’ Chappell wrote in a column for Sydney Morning Herald.
‘By the way, please stop this nonsense of questioning Bumrah’s action. It is unique, but it is unequivocally clean. It demeans a champion performer and the game to even bring it up.’
Former Australian opener David Warner has offered some insight into why the Indian star is so hard to face on the pitch.
‘The key challenge of Bumrah is getting used to his action. If you haven’t faced him before, it can be quite challenging,’ Warner said.
‘You’ve got to try and get used to the stutter at the crease. And then he lets go some thunderbolts. He always hits line and length. Can swing them both ways.
‘I think the beauty of him is he’s got two different gears. He can pitch it up when the ball is new and then he can go the other length.’
The fourth Australia-India Test gets underway on Boxing Day at the MCG with the series locked at one victory apiece.
