CRICKET | Bumrah is incredible and unique, needs to be looked after: McGrath

Former Australian cricketer Glenn McGrath at the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
| Photo Credit: R. RAGU

Australian cricket legend Glenn McGrath on Thursday praised Jasprit Bumrah as an incredible and unique bowler, referring to Bumrah’s exceptional performance in the latest Border Gavaskar Trophy. McGrath also acknowledged Bumrah’s intelligent captaincy in the first Test of the series.

“I take keen interest in Jasprit and the way he goes. I think he’s an incredible bowler. He’s unique. And that Australia-India series showed how important he is,” said McGrath.

“I know the scoreline was 3-1, but if he’d been fit to bowl in that second innings in the last Test (Sydney), you just never know. He was unplayable sometimes. He looked like he was going to get a wicket every over. He’s easily one of the best in the world.

“That first Test in Perth, I think as a captain, I had a lot of respect for him. He’s very intelligent. He thinks well. I thought he did a great job,” said McGrath at the MRF Pace Foundation ground here.

McGrath mentioned the significant stress Bumrah puts on his body with his bowling style and emphasized the need for him to be carefully managed.

“He is a bowler you’ve got to manage. You’ve got to look after him. Because, the amount of stress he puts on his body every ball compared to the other bowlers is different.

Former Australian cricketer Glenn McGrath with Senthilnathan, head coach MRF Pace Foundation, in Chennai on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
R. RAGU

“It’s going to be interesting to see how Jasprit manages it and what he does, because of how he bowls and the type of bowler that he is.

“There’s the hyperextension of his arm. When I saw him as a young bowler, he had a big jump out. I think he blew his knee out and when he came back, he had to go straight through the crease.

“He’s just an incredible bowler. He found what worked for him. He’s completely different to any other bowler out there. Most bowlers need a longer run-up to create that momentum. He finds a way to get it off the last two steps.

“But, unfortunately, he probably puts more stress on his body than the other bowlers. So, he’s found ways to manage it. But not all the time, because he has developed injuries every now and then,” he added.