You can’t pick & choose if selected for India: Irfan on Bumrah
The ongoing Test series between India and Sri Lanka has been marred by controversy, with the latest being the absence of Jasprit Bumrah from the second Test. The decision to rest the star pacer has been met with criticism from various quarters, and the latest to join the chorus is former India cricketer Irfan Pathan. In an interview, Pathan expressed his disappointment and frustration with the decision, stating that if a player is selected for the Indian team, they cannot pick and choose when to play.
“Bumrah is a world-class bowler, and he’s been doing well for the team. If you’re selected for the Indian team, then because of workload, you cannot pick and choose. You have to play when the team needs you to play,” Pathan said in an interview with News18.
Pathan’s comments come in the wake of Bumrah’s absence from the second Test, which has sparked a debate about the team’s planning and strategy. The pacer was rested due to workload management, with the Indian team management citing the need to protect him from burnout.
However, Pathan believes that the decision to rest Bumrah is not sustainable in the long run. “If you keep resting a player like Bumrah, then you’re creating a problem for yourself. You’re not giving him the opportunity to gain stability and consistency in his performance,” he said.
He also highlighted the concern that if Bumrah is rested, it creates an opportunity for other bowlers to step up and take his place. “When Bumrah is not playing, someone else has to take his place. But that someone else is not going to get stability in their performance because they’ll be playing only when Bumrah is not available,” Pathan pointed out.
The former India cricketer also emphasized the need for the team to plan for Tests assuming that Bumrah and Mohammad Shami, another key bowler, won’t always be available. “India must plan for Tests assuming that Bumrah and Shami won’t always be available. They need to develop a strategy to win matches without these two bowlers,” he said.
Pathan’s comments are not without merit. The Indian team has relied heavily on Bumrah and Shami in recent years, and their absence can be a significant blow. However, the team management has emphasized that they are taking a long-term view and are willing to make sacrifices for the benefit of the team.
Despite the controversy surrounding Bumrah’s absence, Pathan believes that the team needs to prioritize his well-being and the team’s overall success. “If you’re not prioritizing the team’s success, then you’re not doing justice to your role as a cricketer. You have to put the team’s interest above your own,” he said.
In conclusion, Pathan’s comments serve as a reminder that in international cricket, there is no room for individual preferences or biases. When a player is selected for the Indian team, they have a responsibility to perform and contribute to the team’s success. The decision to rest Bumrah may have been taken with the best of intentions, but it has sparked a debate that highlights the importance of planning and strategy in international cricket.
