Jasprit Bumrah is widely regarded as the best fast bowler in the world across formats. He has been bowling brilliantly ever since his comeback to international cricket following the back surgery.

Bumrah played an instrumental role in India’s T20 World Cup triumph last year. He was equally brilliant in the Test and ODI formats, which earned him the ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year award for 2024.

Recently, former India bowling coach Bharat Arun recalled the time when a young Bumrah failed to make the U-19 team in 2013 after the selection trials held at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru.

While the coaches were impressed by Bumrah’s ability to bowl fast, they tried to tweak 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.

Hence, Bumrah was told to work on his fitness to ensure the body can go through the rigours of his bowling action. Just like Virat Kohli, the right-arm quick realized the importance of fitness and gave up burgers, pizzas and milkshakes overnight.

“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 further remarked.

Jasprit Bumrah has represented India in 48 Tests, 89 ODIs and 70 T20Is so far, picking up 457 wickets across formats. He will next be seen in action during the Asia Cup 2025, which will be played in the T20I format from September 9 to September 28 in UAE.