Jasprit Bumrah’s unique action is often cited as one of the prime reasons behind his success but it’s not the only one. There’s an astute mind behind his steely countenance that’s constantly trying to outsmart the batter. While the action may lend him an advantage, it also puts his body under stress making him prone to injuries. And to withstand the impact, the 31-year-old has made sacrifices. Former India coach Bharat Arun recalls the time when a young Bumrah failed to make the U-19 team in 2013 when the selection trials were being held at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. However, the coaches were impressed by Bumrah’s ability to bowl fast but tried to remodel his action which negatively impacted the pace. “In 2013, Bumrah had come to the NCA for an Under-19 camp and pitched for selection. He couldn’t make the team, but he was in the 30-member camp at the National Cricket Academy,” Arun said on the latest episode of Bombay Sport Exchange. “In all fairness, we also tried to change Bumrah’s action. He was remodeled, but then the action was great, the ball was not going quick. What’s the point in having a great action if the balls aren’t effective? He could bowl quick, and so we had a discussion with the physio and the strength and conditioning coach. We said, I wouldn’t want to touch his action because it’s very unique and generates a lot of pace. But it also puts him under stress,” he added. So Bumrah was told he will have to make sacrifices and dedicatedly work on his fitness to ensure the body can go through the rigours of his bowling action. Bumrah obliged and in an overnight gave up pizzas, milkshakes and burgers. “We called him (Bumrah) and told him: ‘To take the impact of fast bowling, you need to be like a bull. That comes down to diet, exercise, and sacrifices.’ In all fairness, Bumrah instantaneously changed. He started eating healthy, he was working in the gym,” Arun recalled. “Like Virat Kohli, he was extremely dedicated. He loved burgers, pizzas, milkshakes. But overnight he gave up everything. A Punjabi boy living in Gujarat—but his love for bowling was greater than any food craving,” he added.