Title: 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 match against Sri Lanka has sparked a controversy, with former cricketer Irfan Pathan questioning the move. In an interview, Pathan expressed his disappointment and frustration with the team management’s decision to rest Bumrah, citing that the fast bowler’s absence would affect the team’s performance.
“If you’re selected for the Indian team, then because of workload, you cannot pick and choose,” Pathan said. “If you’re selected, then you need to be available for every game. You can’t just pick and choose when you want to play and when you don’t.”
The decision to rest Bumrah, who is one of India’s most skilled and feared fast bowlers, has been met with criticism from fans and experts alike. Many have questioned the team management’s decision to prioritize Bumrah’s workload over the team’s success in the ongoing Test series.
Pathan, who has played for India and has experience in international cricket, believes that the team management needs to take a more holistic approach to managing player workload. “You need to plan ahead and think about the bigger picture,” he said. “You can’t just rest a player every now and then. You need to plan for Tests assuming that Bumrah and Mohammad Shami won’t always be available.”
The decision to rest Bumrah has also led to questions about the team’s bowling attack. With Bumrah out of the team, the onus will be on other bowlers like Umesh Yadav and Navdeep Saini to deliver. However, Pathan believes that the team’s bowling attack is too reliant on Bumrah and Shami, and that the team needs to develop more depth in the bowling department.
“You can’t just rely on two or three bowlers to win matches for you,” Pathan said. “You need to have a strong bowling unit, with bowlers who can take wickets on a regular basis. The team needs to develop more bowlers who can take responsibility and deliver on the big stage.”
Pathan also believes that the decision to rest Bumrah will affect the team’s morale and confidence. “When a player is rested, it sends out a wrong message to the rest of the team,” he said. “It makes the players feel that they are not important or that they are not required. It’s a big responsibility to play for India, and when you’re not selected, it can affect your confidence and morale.”
In conclusion, Irfan Pathan’s comments highlight the need for the Indian team management to take a more holistic approach to managing player workload and to develop more depth in the bowling department. The decision to rest Bumrah may have been made with the best intentions, but it has sparked controversy and has raised questions about the team’s performance in the ongoing Test series.
