You Can’t Pick & Choose If Selected for India: Irfan on Bumrah
The ongoing Test series between India and Australia has been marred by controversy, with Jasprit Bumrah’s absence from the second Test sparking heated debate. The Indian pace sensation was rested for the match, citing workload management, which has led to criticism from some quarters. Ex-India cricketer Irfan Pathan has joined the chorus, questioning the decision to rest Bumrah and implying that it’s unfair to pick and choose when it comes to representing the national team.
“I don’t think you can pick and choose if you’re selected for the Indian team,” Pathan told News18 in an exclusive interview. “If you’re selected, then because of workload, you cannot pick and choose. You have to be available all the time.”
Pathan’s comments come at a time when the Indian team is facing a crisis of sorts, with several key players, including Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, being rested or injured. The pace duo has been instrumental in India’s success in recent years, and their absence has left a gaping hole in the team’s bowling attack.
The decision to rest Bumrah has been questioned by many, with some arguing that the team should have found a way to manage his workload without leaving him out of the side. Pathan agrees, stating that the Indian team must plan for Tests assuming that Bumrah and Shami won’t always be available.
“You have to plan for Tests, assuming that Bumrah and Shami won’t always be available. You can’t just keep resting them and expecting the others to pick up the slack,” Pathan said. “You have to find a way to manage their workload, but you can’t just keep resting them. It’s not a sustainable model.”
Pathan’s comments have also raised questions about the future of young pace bowler Akash Deep, who made his Test debut in the first match against Australia. Deep impressed with his five-wicket haul, but Pathan believes that he won’t be able to achieve stability in his performance due to the uncertainty surrounding Bumrah’s availability.
“I don’t think Akash Deep will be able to achieve stability in his performance because he’ll be playing only during Bumrah’s absence. You need to give him a longer run to settle down and develop his game,” Pathan said. “You can’t just keep changing the bowling attack every now and then. It’s not good for the team, and it’s not good for the bowlers.”
The debate surrounding Bumrah’s absence has also highlighted the need for the Indian team to develop a more robust pace bowling attack. Pathan believes that the team needs to identify and develop more pace bowlers to fill the void left by Bumrah and Shami.
“We need to identify more pace bowlers and develop them. We can’t just rely on Bumrah and Shami all the time. We need to have a pool of bowlers who can step up and fill the void,” Pathan said. “It’s not just about having one or two good bowlers. You need to have a whole team of good bowlers to succeed in Test cricket.”
In conclusion, Irfan Pathan’s comments have raised important questions about the Indian team’s approach to workload management and the need to develop a more robust pace bowling attack. As the team navigates the challenges of the ongoing Test series, it’s clear that there’s no easy answer to the problem of Bumrah’s absence. However, by developing a more sustainable approach to workload management and identifying more pace bowlers, the Indian team can ensure that they’re better equipped to succeed in the long run.
