Title: You Can’t Pick & Choose If Selected for India: Irfan on Bumrah
The Indian cricket team’s recent decision to rest Jasprit Bumrah for the second Test against Bangladesh has sparked a heated debate in the cricketing fraternity. While some have hailed the move as a necessary step to manage Bumrah’s workload, others have expressed disappointment and frustration. One such voice is that of former India cricketer Irfan Pathan, who has questioned the decision, saying that if you’re selected for the Indian team, you can’t pick and choose when to play.
In an interview with News18, Irfan Pathan expressed his views on Bumrah’s absence from the second Test, stating that the decision to rest him will have a ripple effect on the team’s performance. “If you’re selected for the Indian team, then because of workload, you cannot pick and choose. You have to be ready to play whenever you’re needed,” he said.
Pathan’s comments come at a time when the Indian team is dealing with the absence of several key players, including Bumrah and Mohammad Shami, who are both being managed due to injuries and workload concerns. The team’s pace attack has been weakened as a result, with rookie bowler Akash Deep being called up to replace Bumrah.
Pathan believes that Akash Deep, despite being a talented young bowler, will struggle to achieve stability in his performance due to the limited opportunities he’ll get to play. “When Bumrah is not playing, Akash Deep will come in, but he won’t get a consistent run. How will he get a rhythm? How will he get to know the conditions?” he asked.
The former India cricketer also emphasized the need for the team to plan for Tests assuming that Bumrah and Shami won’t always be available. “India has to plan for Tests, thinking that Bumrah and Shami won’t always be available. We can’t keep waiting for them to come back. We need to have a backup plan,” he said.
Pathan’s concerns are not unfounded. The Indian team has been heavily reliant on Bumrah and Shami in recent years, and their absence has left a gaping hole in the team’s pace attack. While the likes of Umesh Yadav and Shardul Thakur have tried to fill the void, they have failed to replicate the success of the senior bowlers.
The decision to rest Bumrah for the second Test has also sparked concerns about the team’s strategy and planning. The Indian team has been accused of being too reliant on a small group of players, and the absence of Bumrah and Shami has exposed the team’s lack of depth in the pace department.
Pathan’s comments have sparked a heated debate in the cricketing fraternity, with many former players and experts weighing in on the issue. While some have backed the decision to rest Bumrah, others have questioned the team’s strategy and planning.
In conclusion, Irfan Pathan’s comments serve as a reminder that in international cricket, you can’t pick and choose when to play. The Indian team needs to plan for Tests assuming that Bumrah and Shami won’t always be available, and find a way to develop a consistent pace attack.
