Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Sri Lanka Debutant Sachindu Colombage Draws Bumrah Comparisons
Sachindu Colombage played his first international cricket match for Sri Lanka.
He is a spin bowler with a very unusual way of delivering the ball.
Fans noticed that some parts of his action looked like Jasprit Bumrah’s action.
Bumrah is a fast bowler, so the two players do not bowl the same kind of delivery.
Colombage also holds the ball near his eyes and forehead before releasing it.
He took the wicket of England batter Joe Root with a clean bowled delivery.
He finished the match with three wickets for 44 runs.
Fans also compared his style with former Indian spinner Anil Kumble.
Sri Lankan debutant Sachindu Colombage went viral for his unusual bowling action during the first ODI against England.
Fans compared Colombage’s approach, arm movement and delivery style with Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah.
Colombage is a spinner, while Bumrah is a fast bowler, and their actions are not identical.
Colombage took three wickets for 44 runs in 10 overs, including Joe Root, Jos Buttler and Jamie Overton.
Sri Lanka bowled England out for 265 runs in 48.1 overs at the Riverside Ground in Durham.
- Who
- Sri Lanka debutant Sachindu Colombage, England’s batters and cricket fans comparing his action with Jasprit Bumrah.
- What
- Colombage’s unusual spin-bowling action sparked online comparisons with Bumrah, while he took three wickets on debut.
- When
- Tuesday, during the first ODI between England and Sri Lanka.
- Where
- The Riverside Ground in Durham.
- Why
- His unusual approach, arm movement, ball position and delivery style prompted comparisons on social media.
- Player
- Sachindu Colombage
- Match
- England vs Sri Lanka, first ODI
- Debut figures
- 3 wickets for 44 runs in 10 overs
- Wickets taken
- Joe Root, Jos Buttler and Jamie Overton
- England total
- 265 runs
- England innings
- Bowled out in 48.1 overs
- Comparison
- Fans compared Colombage’s action with Jasprit Bumrah and Anil Kumble