You Can’t Pick & Choose If Selected for India: Irfan on Bumrah
The decision to rest Jasprit Bumrah for the second Test against Sri Lanka has raised several eyebrows in the cricketing fraternity. Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan has been one of the most vocal critics of this move, emphasizing that if you’re selected for the Indian team, you cannot pick and choose when you want to play. In an exclusive interview, Irfan expressed his concerns about the impact this decision could have on India’s Test team and the chances of youngsters like Akash Deep.
“I don’t think you can pick and choose when you’re playing for India,” Irfan said in an interview with News18. “If you’re selected for the team, then because of workload, you cannot pick and choose. You have to be available for all matches, and that’s what international cricket demands.”
Irfan’s concerns are rooted in the fact that Bumrah’s absence from the second Test could disrupt the team’s rhythm and create uncertainty among the bowlers. The pacer has been one of India’s most successful bowlers in recent years, and his absence would be deeply felt on the pitch.
Moreover, Irfan feels that Akash Deep, who has been called up as Bumrah’s replacement, won’t be able to achieve stability in his performance due to the fact that he’ll only be playing during Bumrah’s absence.
“Look, Akash Deep is a good bowler, but he’s not going to get a chance to settle into the game because he’ll be playing only in Bumrah’s absence,” Irfan said. “He needs to play consistently to develop his skills and gain confidence. But with Bumrah’s absence, he’ll be under pressure to perform immediately, and that can be tough.”
Irfan also highlighted the need for India to plan for Tests assuming that Bumrah and Mohammad Shami won’t always be available. He believes that the team needs to develop a backup plan and ensure that the bowlers are prepared to take on the responsibility.
“We need to plan for Tests assuming that Bumrah and Shami won’t always be available,” Irfan said. “We can’t keep relying on the same few bowlers all the time. We need to develop a backup plan and ensure that the bowlers are prepared to take on the responsibility. That’s what Test cricket demands.”
Irfan’s words of caution come at a time when India is already struggling with injuries to some of its key players. The team has been hit by a series of injuries to players like Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Rishabh Pant, and Irfan believes that the team needs to adopt a more holistic approach to manage workloads and prevent injuries.
“We need to adopt a more holistic approach to manage workloads and prevent injuries,” Irfan said. “We can’t just keep relying on the same few players all the time. We need to develop a system where players are given adequate rest and recovery time, and where youngsters are given opportunities to develop their skills.”
In conclusion, Irfan’s words of caution serve as a timely reminder of the importance of planning and preparation in Test cricket. The decision to rest Bumrah has raised several questions, and Irfan’s comments highlight the need for India to develop a backup plan and ensure that the bowlers are prepared to take on the responsibility.
As Irfan said, “If you’re selected for India, then because of workload, you cannot pick and choose. You have to be available for all matches, and that’s what international cricket demands.” India’s Test team needs to take heed of these words and adopt a more holistic approach to manage workloads and prevent injuries.
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