You Can’t Pick & Choose If Selected for India: Irfan on Bumrah
The Indian cricket team’s decision to rest Jasprit Bumrah for the second Test against Bangladesh has sparked debate among cricket enthusiasts. Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan is one of the prominent voices that have expressed discontent over the move. In an interview with News18, Irfan Pathan questioned the decision, saying that if you’re selected for the Indian team, you cannot pick and choose when you want to play or not.
Bumrah’s absence from the second Test has raised eyebrows, especially considering the team’s struggles with pace bowling in the first Test. His replacement, Akash Deep, who made his Test debut in the first game, is yet to establish himself as a reliable option. Irfan Pathan believes that Akash Deep will struggle to achieve stability in his performance as he will be playing only during Bumrah’s absence.
“You can’t pick and choose if you’re selected for the Indian team. If you’re selected, you’ve got to be ready to play whenever the team needs you. You can’t say, ‘I’ll play only when Bumrah is not available’. That’s not how it works,” Irfan Pathan said.
Irfan Pathan’s comments come at a time when the Indian team is facing a shortage of quality fast bowlers. Apart from Bumrah and Mohammad Shami, the team has struggled to find a consistent partner for the new ball. The likes of Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have all been tried and tested, but none have been able to establish themselves as a reliable option.
The Indian team’s dependence on Bumrah and Shami is a concern, especially considering their workload. Bumrah has been one of the most successful fast bowlers in the world, but he has also been plagued by injuries in recent times. Shami, too, has had his share of fitness issues, and the team cannot afford to rely too heavily on them.
Irfan Pathan believes that the Indian team needs to plan for Tests assuming that Bumrah and Shami won’t always be available. “You’ve got to have a plan B, a plan C. You can’t just rely on two or three bowlers. You need to have a squad that can perform in different conditions,” he said.
The former India all-rounder also highlighted the need for the Indian team to develop a strong bench strength. “You need to have bowlers who can perform consistently. You can’t just rely on one or two bowlers. You need to have a squad that can perform in different conditions,” he said.
Irfan Pathan’s comments have sparked a debate among cricket enthusiasts, with some agreeing with him that the Indian team needs to develop a strong bench strength. Others have argued that the team is justified in resting Bumrah, considering his workload and the importance of his role in the team.
However, Irfan Pathan’s point about the need for the Indian team to plan for Tests assuming that Bumrah and Shami won’t always be available is a valid one. The team’s dependence on these two bowlers is a concern, and the need to develop a strong bench strength is essential to ensure that the team remains competitive in all conditions.
In conclusion, Irfan Pathan’s comments highlight the need for the Indian team to develop a strong bench strength and plan for Tests assuming that Bumrah and Shami won’t always be available. While the decision to rest Bumrah for the second Test has sparked debate, the need to develop a strong bench strength is essential to ensure that the team remains competitive in all conditions.
