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 raised several eyebrows, with many questioning the move. Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan is one such individual who has expressed his disappointment with the decision to leave out Bumrah. In a recent interview, Pathan criticized the decision, stating that if you’re selected for the Indian team, you cannot pick and choose when to play and when to rest.
Pathan’s comments come at a time when the Indian team is grappling with the issue of workload management. The team has been taking precautions to ensure that their fast bowlers, including Bumrah and Mohammad Shami, do not burn out. However, Pathan believes that this approach may not be sustainable in the long run. He pointed out that if the team continues to rest its key bowlers for every other series, it will create a situation where the team is left with a gap in performance.
“I think it’s a wrong decision to rest Jasprit Bumrah for the second Test. If you’re selected for the Indian team, you cannot pick and choose when to play and when to rest. You have to be available for every game, every series,” Pathan said in an interview with News18.
Pathan also expressed his concern about the impact that Bumrah’s absence will have on the team’s performance. He believes that the team will struggle to find a replacement for Bumrah, who has been one of the most consistent fast bowlers for India in recent years.
“Akash Deep is a good bowler, but he won’t be able to achieve stability in his performance because he will only play during Bumrah’s absence. You need a consistent lineup, and when you’re playing with a different combination, it’s difficult to achieve stability,” Pathan said.
Pathan also highlighted the need for the Indian team to plan for Tests assuming that Bumrah and Shami won’t always be available. He believes that the team needs to develop a Plan B, which will allow them to adapt to different situations.
“India has to plan for Tests, assuming that Bumrah and Shami won’t always be available. You need to have a Plan B, which will allow you to adapt to different situations. You can’t just rely on one or two bowlers; you need to have a pool of bowlers who can perform,” Pathan said.
Pathan’s comments have sparked a debate about the Indian team’s approach to workload management. While some believe that the team is taking the right approach to ensure the well-being of its players, others feel that the decision to rest Bumrah for the second Test is a mistake.
In conclusion, Irfan Pathan’s criticism of the decision to rest Bumrah for the second Test highlights the need for the Indian team to rethink its approach to workload management. The team needs to find a balance between ensuring the well-being of its players and maintaining a consistent level of performance. By developing a Plan B and having a pool of bowlers who can perform, the Indian team can ensure that it is always prepared for any situation.
