You Can’t Pick & Choose if Selected for India: Irfan on Bumrah
Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan has sparked a controversy by criticizing the decision to rest Jasprit Bumrah for the second Test match against Sri Lanka. Bumrah, one of the most successful fast bowlers in the world, was left out of the playing XI for the second Test, with Akash Deep making his debut instead. However, Irfan believes that this decision is unfair and sets a bad precedent for the team.
“If you’re selected for the Indian team, then because of workload, you cannot pick and choose,” Irfan said in an interview. “You have to be available for every match, regardless of the format or the opponent. I don’t think it’s fair to rest a player like Bumrah, especially when the team is playing Tests.”
Irfan’s comments have been met with a mixed reaction from fans and former cricketers, with some agreeing with his sentiments while others believe that the decision to rest Bumrah was necessary to manage his workload. However, Irfan is adamant that this decision sets a bad precedent and can lead to a lack of stability in the team’s performance.
“Akash Deep is a talented bowler, but he won’t achieve stability in his performance because he’ll only play during Bumrah’s absence,” Irfan said. “He needs to play consistently to develop his skills and gain confidence. By resting Bumrah, the team is creating a situation where they have to pick and choose players based on their availability, which can lead to inconsistencies in performance.”
Irfan also highlighted that India needs to plan for Tests assuming that Bumrah and Mohammad Shami won’t always be available. “India has a long history of producing top-quality fast bowlers, and it’s essential to have a plan in place for when they’re not available,” he said. “We need to have a strong pool of fast bowlers who can perform consistently, regardless of the format or opponent.”
Irfan’s comments have sparked a debate about the importance of resting players to manage their workload. While some believe that it’s essential to give players a break to avoid burnout, others argue that this decision can lead to a lack of stability in the team’s performance.
However, Irfan is adamant that this decision is unfair and can have long-term consequences for the team. “If you’re selected for the Indian team, you need to be available for every match, regardless of the format or opponent,” he said. “You can’t pick and choose when you want to play or rest. That’s not how it works.”
Irfan’s comments have been met with a mixed reaction from fans and former cricketers, with some agreeing with his sentiments while others believe that the decision to rest Bumrah was necessary to manage his workload. However, Irfan is adamant that this decision sets a bad precedent and can lead to a lack of stability in the team’s performance.
In conclusion, Irfan’s comments highlight the importance of having a strong pool of fast bowlers who can perform consistently, regardless of the format or opponent. By resting Bumrah, the team is creating a situation where they have to pick and choose players based on their availability, which can lead to inconsistencies in performance.
