You Can’t Pick & Choose If Selected for India: Irfan on Bumrah
In a recent development, Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for the second Test match against Sri Lanka, sparking controversy among cricket enthusiasts. While Bumrah’s absence has been justified by the Indian team management due to workload management, former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan has expressed his disagreement with the decision. According to Pathan, if a player is selected for the Indian team, they cannot pick and choose when they want to play or not.
In an interview with News18, Pathan said, “If you’re selected for the Indian team, then because of workload, you cannot pick and choose. You have to be available for all the matches.” He emphasized that the Indian team cannot afford to have players who are only available for certain matches. “If someone is selected, they have to be available for all the matches, not just when someone else is rested or injured,” he added.
Pathan’s comments have sparked a debate about the importance of having a consistent and reliable bowling attack. With Bumrah’s absence, India has called up Akash Deep to replace him, but Pathan is skeptical about the young pacer’s ability to achieve stability in his performance. “When Bumrah is not playing, Akash Deep will come in, but he won’t get the chance to settle down. He’ll only play for a few matches, and then again someone else will be rested or injured, and he’ll be out of the team,” he said.
Pathan’s concerns are not unfounded. With the Indian team’s bowling attack, there is always a risk of injuries or fatigue, and the team needs to have a plan in place to deal with such situations. In recent times, India has had to deal with the absence of several key bowlers, including Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, and Ravichandran Ashwin. While Ashwin has been making a comeback, Shami has been struggling with injuries, and Bumrah’s absence has added to the team’s concerns.
Pathan believes that India needs to plan for Tests assuming that Bumrah and Shami won’t always be available. “India has to plan for Tests assuming that Bumrah and Shami won’t always be available. They have to have a backup plan in place, and that plan should include players who can consistently perform,” he said.
In the past, India has struggled to find a reliable fourth seamer, and Pathan’s comments highlight the need for the team to identify a player who can fill the gap left by Bumrah’s absence. With the series against Sri Lanka being a good opportunity for India to experiment with new players, Pathan believes that the team should give younger bowlers a chance to prove themselves.
However, Pathan also emphasized the need for the Indian team to have a clear strategy in place for managing its players’ workload. “The Indian team management has to have a clear strategy for managing the workload of its players. They cannot keep resting players on and off, as it affects the team’s performance,” he said.
In conclusion, Irfan Pathan’s comments highlight the importance of having a consistent and reliable bowling attack, as well as the need for the Indian team to plan for Tests assuming that key bowlers won’t always be available. With the series against Sri Lanka being a good opportunity for India to experiment with new players, the team needs to identify a reliable fourth seamer who can fill the gap left by Bumrah’s absence.
