'I am a big Bumrah fan but…': Glenn McGrath's game-changing advice after India pacer's career-threatening injury
Glenn McGrath, a former Australian pacer, is a big fan of Jasprit Bumrah. However, McGrath is worried about how long Bumrah will be able to play in international cricket because his bowling movement puts a lot of stress on his body.
Bumrah is one of the scariest fast bowlers in the world because of the way he throws the ball. This may be why the Mumbai Indians star has had so many injuries in his seven years of international play so far.
Bumrah hasn't played international cricket in almost a year. His last game was at home against Australia in September of last year. After that, the right-handed bowler missed a lot of big events, including the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup in 2022, the IPL in 2023, and the WTC final against Australia.
Bumrah also had back surgery in New Zealand in March of this year. Since then, he has been getting better at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). The 29-year-old is getting ready to play again in the three T20Is against Ireland.
The Australian pacer who used to play has a lot of sympathy for the Indian seamer because he got hurt a lot when he played. "Bumrah has done a great job for India. "I'm a big fan of his bowling numbers, the wickets he's taken, and the way he bowls," the 53-year-old said at the MRF Pace Foundation.
"The way he bowls is very hard on his body. So he needs to keep himself fit and strong. He could play for a few more years if he does that," he said. McGrath also thought that Bumrah needs a break to get stronger.
"Between the international schedule and the IPL, fast bowlers no longer have an off-season. This is particularly true for someone like Jasprit, who needs an off-season to build up his strength. So it's up to him to decide whether or not to give up on one of the forms.
"It's getting harder to play in all three forms. Jasprit will have to think about this in the future, because what he does is different and hard on his body. I think he still has a lot to give in his career.
Bumrah is an important part of the Indian team and will try to show that he is healthy before the Asia Cup and World Cup. In a few months, when the tournament is held in India, his presence will be very important for India's chances of winning the rare silverware.
McGrath, who at the time was one of the most feared bowlers, also thought that India is the hardest place for a pacer to bowl. "It's probably hardest to be a fast bowler in India. Here, pitches aren't that juicy. But now young seam bowlers are coming from India that we probably haven't seen before," he said, adding that if a bowler can succeed in India, he can succeed anywhere in the world.
McGrath also told the players that they should put more value on Test cricket. "Every game, from the first to the last, was different. Test cricket is the best, and we should keep an eye out for it. I want people to come back to Test cricket, and Ashes was great in that way.
"(Ashes) We saw two teams go out with two different plans. England will play a game they call "Bazball," and Australia will possibly play a standard version of "Test cricket." He said, "Both have their place in the game."
"It shouldn't surprise you that I put Australia in that group of four. India is obviously playing the way they want to. Both England and Pakistan are playing good cricket right now. So, those four are the best," McGrath said to end.