Title: You can’t pick & choose if selected for India: Irfan on Bumrah
The ongoing Test series between India and New Zealand has been marred by controversy, with the latest twist being the absence of Jasprit Bumrah from the second Test. The decision to rest Bumrah has drawn both praise and criticism, with many believing that the Indian team management should have found a way to include the star pacer in the playing XI. One such critic is former India cricketer Irfan Pathan, who has questioned the decision to rest Bumrah, saying that once you are selected for the Indian team, you cannot pick and choose when you want to play or rest.
“I don’t think you can pick and choose when you’re selected for the Indian team,” Pathan said in an interview. “If you’re selected for Indian team, then because of workload, you cannot pick and choose. You have to be available for selection, and you have to be ready to play whenever the team needs you.”
Pathan’s comments come as a surprise, given that Bumrah has been struggling with a back injury and has been managed carefully by the team management. However, the former India all-rounder believes that the team should have found a way to include Bumrah in the playing XI, even if it meant rotating him with other bowlers.
“You can’t just rest a player like Bumrah without a back-up plan in place,” Pathan said. “You have to have a plan B, plan C, plan D. You can’t just rest him and bring in someone like Akash Deep, who will play only during Bumrah’s absence. Akash Deep won’t achieve stability in performance because he’ll be playing only during Bumrah’s absence.”
Pathan’s criticism of the team management’s decision to rest Bumrah has sparked a debate, with many questioning whether Bumrah’s absence is a blessing in disguise for the Indian team. While Bumrah is undoubtedly one of India’s most successful bowlers, his injury has given the team management an opportunity to blood new talent and explore different combinations.
However, Pathan believes that the team should not be looking to replace Bumrah with someone like Akash Deep, who is still a rookie and lacks experience. Instead, he believes that the team should be planning for the long-term, assuming that Bumrah and Mohammad Shami, another key bowler, won’t always be available.
“You have to plan for Tests assuming that Bumrah and Shami won’t always be available,” Pathan said. “You can’t just rest them and expect them to come back fit and ready to play. You have to have a plan in place, you have to have players who can fill their shoes. You can’t just rest them and bring in someone who is not ready to play.”
Pathan’s comments have sparked a debate, with many questioning whether the Indian team management is doing enough to manage the workload of its players. While Bumrah’s absence may be a blessing in disguise for the Indian team, it is clear that the team’s reliance on a handful of bowlers is a cause for concern.
In conclusion, Pathan’s criticism of the team management’s decision to rest Bumrah highlights the importance of planning for the long-term and having a back-up plan in place. While Bumrah’s absence may be a blessing in disguise for the Indian team, it is clear that the team’s reliance on a handful of bowlers is a cause for concern. As the team looks to the future, it is essential that they find a way to manage the workload of their players and develop a more balanced team.
