Australia v India: Battle between Jasprit Bumrah and Steve Smith could be most intriguing of all

Forget the textbook - the battle of the homespun techniques, featuring a shuffling batsman and a slingy-yet-straight-arm bowler, could well decide an intriguing series.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 28: Jasprit Bumrah of India bowls during day three of the Third Test match in the series between Australia and India at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 28, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

The most crucial battle which could decide the summer wasn’t forged in heated encounters at the SCG or Eden Gardens – but honed in the backyards of Ahmedabad and Alfords Point.

In proof that weird can be beautiful in the world of cricket, the two most important stars of the show will revolve around the homespun techniques of shuffling Steve Smith and the owner of world cricket’s most unconventional action, India’s Jasprit Bumrah.

With Virat Kohli flying home for the birth of his first child after the Adelaide Test, Bumrah – the devastating fast bowler who was among India’s finest on their historic triumph in Australia two years ago - becomes the tourists’ most feared competitor.

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Jasprit Bumrah may be unorthodox, but he is very effective

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How different it all could’ve been.

When Smith was attempting to break into the Australian team, there were dissenting coaches who questioned whether his awkward fidgety style would ever hold up to the rigours of Test cricket.

“They thought he was too different. And that’s OK, but he defied that,” Smith’s former teammate Ryan Harris told News Corp.

Bumrah, too, encountered roadblocks in his development as he endured endless negative talk about his unorthodox style.

The beauty of Bumrah is the origin of his action. Everything he knows about bowling has been self-taught, right down to his eight-step run-up which was a necessity when playing in the communal area of his family’s apartment complex, where space was in short supply.

Bumrah learned to adapt there and, despite some encouragement to lengthen it in the hope of generating more pace, he’s always returned to his eight-step system that must’ve terrorised friends growing up.

Bumrah in his delivery stride.

That incredible arm sling.

“I have tried a longer run-up and nothing changes. (My) speed is still the same, so why run so much?” he explains.

His famous yorker? That emerged through hours of practice in the hallway at home, repeatedly aiming to hit the skirting board so as to make as little noise as possible for fear of disturbing his mother.

Now, it makes plenty of noise by rattling stumps around the globe.

Like Bumrah, Smith credits his backyard development for much of his international success – particularly in playing spin bowling, and having to reach out and play in front of the pad to avoid inconsistencies in the family lawn.

“Fielders around the bat and things like that, trying to find a way to manipulate the field in a way, that’s something I certainly had to do in the backyard growing up,” Smith said.

“It held me in good stead playing in tougher conditions like in India where the wickets are a bit more unpredictable. I tried to replicate that in a way.”

To shut Bumrah down is to shut India down, according to Smith – whose wicket will carry similar weight within the rival dressing room.

I’m sure we are all familiar with this.

“What makes him good is initially if you haven’t faced him, it takes a little bit of getting used to with his obviously awkward action and run up,” Smith explains.

“But then once you do get used to him I still think the quality of bowler he is. He’s got great skills, he bowls with great pace, ability to stand the seam up and swing it.

“He’s got a pretty wide skill set and he’s competitive. He obviously had an amazing summer in Australia when they were out here last and I think if we keep him quiet, I think that’ll take us a long way to winning that series.”

The first time former Aussie quick Ryan Harris laid eyes on Bumrah, with his short run-up and jolting slingy-yet-straight-arm delivery, he didn’t know what to make of it.

He was quickly set straight, marvelling at the then 24-year-old’s pace and control as he dismantled Australia two summers ago with 21 wickets at an average of just 17 runs.

“The power he gets at the crease is unexplainable to be honest,” Harris said.

“He’s obviously very strong and unique, he gets a lot of whip from his shoulder and his arm. His arm hyperextends, that’s just the way he’s built, but it’s phenomenal how he gets his pace. Chuck in the accuracy he gets as well, and it’s amazing.”

Bumrah and Mohammed Shami form a potent opening attack for India.

Harris, one of Australia’s finest modern-day fast bowlers and emerging coaches, believes the unique backstories to the star duo provide an insight into what can make a champion – and the pitfalls of messing with what works.

While the textbook technique of Sachin Tendulkar and the pure-as-snow action of Dale Steyn delivered them decades of success, Harris fears it can be dangerous to tinker with unusual styles unless they’re likely to lead to injury in the long-term.

“Different is good, there’s no doubt about that,” Harris said.

“From a coaching point of view you’ve got to be really careful not to change those traits sometimes, because changing an action is really hard – if you get to a guy at 16, 18 or even later, that’s what they’ve built their action on and that’s what has made them successful.”

Originally published as Australia v India: Battle between Jasprit Bumrah and Steve Smith could be most intriguing of all