Pakistani Cricketer Takes Credit for Famous Jasprit Bumrah Variation

Pakistan-born UAE cricketer Zahoor Khan has claimed that he once helped India pacer Jasprit Bumrah understand how to bowl slower deliveries using the same action and grip during an interaction in the Indian Premier League.

Zahoor said the conversation took place in 2019 when he was invited by the Mumbai Indians franchise to bowl in the nets and assist players during a tournament staged in the United Arab Emirates.

Zahoor Khan recalls nets session with Mumbai Indians

Speaking in an interview, Zahoor explained that Mumbai Indians called him during the tournament to bowl in the nets after he impressed in the T10 League.

According to the UAE fast bowler, the team management - including Zaheer Khan and Robin Singh - were familiar with his bowling and wanted him to work with the squad.

He recalled demonstrating his slower deliveries during a practice session.

"So Mumbai Indians called me. I did quarantine for six days and went to practice on the seventh day," Zahoor said.

"I bowled the first one yorker and the next five deliveries were slower ones."

He added that several players, including Bumrah and Rohit Sharma, were present during the interaction.

Conversation with Jasprit Bumrah about slower balls

Zahoor claimed that Bumrah approached him after watching a video of his bowling.

"Zaheer Khan told me to show my video where I bowled a maiden over. Bumrah looked at it and asked me, 'Brother, what are you bowling here?' I said they were slower balls. Then he asked me how I bowl them," Zahoor said.

The UAE pacer said he explained that the deliveries were bowled with the same grip and action.

"I said, in the same action, in the same grip. He said, how is this possible? I said, I'll tell you in practice."

Zahoor added that during nets he demonstrated the technique in front of Mumbai Indians bowling coach Shane Bond and head coach Mahela Jayawardene.

Praise for Jasprit Bumrah

Despite being one of the world's best fast bowlers, Zahoor said he was impressed by Bumrah's eagerness to learn new techniques.

"I'm a player for UAE right now and he's a world-class bowler. I really liked that he is such a big star and he was asking me about the grip," Zahoor said.

Bumrah's slower deliveries key to India T20 WC success

Bumrah's ability to disguise slower deliveries with the same action has become one of his most effective weapons in limited-overs cricket.

The India pacer recently played a major role in the country's T20 World Cup 2026 triumph, delivering crucial spells in both the semi-final and final as India successfully defended their title.

His deceptive variations, especially slower balls that look identical to his fast deliveries, have often left batters struggling to pick the change of pace.