Clamp Down on Bowlers by The ICC: Why Not Question The Bowling Action of Jasprit Bumrah?

A bowler's action comes under scrutiny when it violates ICC regulations, which are precise and technical in nature. Specifically, suspicion arises if: (1) during delivery, the bowling arm bends at the elbow after aligning with the shoulder (though not crossing it), and (2) at the point of release, the elbow straightens. These subtle deviations are often imperceptible to the naked eye but are detectable to trained coaches and umpires who possess a deep understanding of bowling mechanics.

Recently, our coaching staff admitted to having identified certain irregularities in Taskin Ahmed’s bowling action much earlier. However, this raises a pertinent question: why did they fail to alert the national coaching team or the bowling coach at the time? If national-level coaches are subjected to criticism for lapses, shouldn’t these individuals also be held accountable for their oversight?

Accepting that Taskin’s bowling action might indeed be flawed is challenging, especially given the precision required to identify such issues. Even during the Asia Cup match against Pakistan, it took hours of meticulous analysis and slow-motion reviews for me to notice the subtle irregularity. Taskin’s delivery is exceptionally fast, and the flaw, if present, is so nuanced that it’s nearly invisible in real-time. My unwavering confidence in Taskin made it hard to believe he could err, but logic and evidence must prevail over emotion.

The larger issue lies in the timing. Why did neither the ICC match referees nor our own specialists initiate a review of Taskin’s action earlier? Could they not have proactively guided him to address these flaws? The suspension of a bowler during a high-stakes, multinational tournament is not just disheartening—it reflects a systemic failure that should compel us to question and improve our processes.

 

According to ICC’s regulations on illegal bowling actions, Jasprit Bumrah’s action does not appear entirely beyond scrutiny. In a frame I analyzed, his bowling arm remains straight along the shoulder line without significant elbow flexion. However, at the delivery point, the elbow appears straightened—a technical aspect that could potentially place his action under suspicion.

This raises an important question: why is Bumrah not subjected to laboratory testing to verify compliance? Even if the issue seems borderline or "fifty-fifty," wouldn’t a lab test help eliminate any ambiguity? Ensuring fairness and consistency in enforcement is crucial, particularly when such regulations are so intricately tied to biomechanics. While Bumrah's action may ultimately pass scrutiny, wouldn’t it be prudent to subject it to the same level of evaluation as others? After all, transparency and adherence to the process strengthen the credibility of the game.

This is precisely why I advocate for random testing. Implementing such a system would not pose a significant challenge for the ICC, given its substantial financial resources. Expanding the number of testing centres beyond just a few locations to include several regions worldwide would further enhance the effectiveness of this initiative. Randomized testing would not only ensure greater accountability but also eliminate the prevalence of conspiracy theories surrounding the enforcement of bowling action regulations. Such a proactive measure would reinforce fairness and transparency, strengthening the integrity of the sport.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar