
You Can’t Pick & Choose If Selected for India: Irfan on Bumrah
The recent decision to rest Jasprit Bumrah for the second Test match against Bangladesh has sparked a debate in the cricketing world. While some have praised the Indian team management for taking a proactive approach to managing Bumrah’s workload, others have criticized the move, questioning the selection process. One such voice is that of ex-India cricketer Irfan Pathan, who has expressed his concerns over the decision to rest the star pacer.
In an interview with News18, Irfan Pathan emphasized that if a player is selected for the Indian team, they cannot “pick and choose” when they want to play or rest. He believes that once a player is chosen, they need to be available for every match, unless they are injured or have a valid reason for not being able to play.
“If you’re selected for the Indian team, then because of workload, you cannot pick and choose. You have to be available for every game. If you’re not available, then maybe you should not have been selected in the first place,” Irfan Pathan said.
Irfan’s comments come as a surprise, considering that Bumrah has been one of the most successful fast bowlers for India in recent years. However, the Indian team management has been keen to manage his workload, especially after his injury in the 2020 IPL. The team has been experimenting with different combinations and workloads to ensure that Bumrah remains fit and fresh throughout the season.
Irfan Pathan, however, believes that the decision to rest Bumrah sets a bad precedent. He feels that it will lead to other players taking advantage of the situation, and the team will struggle to maintain consistency.
“If you start resting players, then every player will start thinking that they can pick and choose when they want to play. It’s not fair to the team, it’s not fair to the other players who are working hard to be part of the team,” Irfan Pathan said.
Irfan’s concerns are not limited to Bumrah alone. He believes that the Indian team needs to plan for Tests assuming that Bumrah and Mohammad Shami won’t always be available. He feels that the team needs to have a backup plan in place to ensure that they are not left struggling without their key fast bowlers.
“India needs to plan for Tests assuming that Bumrah and Shami won’t always be available. You need to have a backup plan in place, you need to have a combination that can work without them. You can’t just rely on one or two players, you need to have a team that can gel together and perform,” Irfan Pathan said.
Irfan’s views are not without merit. The Indian team has struggled to find a reliable backup in the fast bowling department, with several players failing to deliver consistently. The absence of Bumrah and Shami, two of India’s most successful fast bowlers, could leave the team exposed.
The decision to rest Bumrah has also raised questions over the selection of Akash Deep, the young fast bowler who has been included in the squad for the second Test. Irfan Pathan believes that Akash Deep won’t be able to achieve stability in his performance, simply because he will be playing only during Bumrah’s absence.
“Akash Deep won’t be able to achieve stability in his performance. He’ll be playing only during Bumrah’s absence, and that’s not the right way to develop a player. You need to give them a consistent run, you need to give them a chance to settle in and perform,” Irfan Pathan said.
Irfan’s comments have added fuel to the ongoing debate over Bumrah’s absence from the second Test. While some have praised the Indian team management for taking a proactive approach to managing Bumrah’s workload, others have criticized the decision, citing concerns over the team’s bowling attack.
As the Indian team prepares to face Bangladesh in the second Test, it remains to be seen how they will respond to the absence of Bumrah. Will they be able to find a reliable backup in the fast bowling department, or will they struggle to contain the opposition? Only time will tell.