Title: You can’t pick & choose if selected for India: Irfan on Bumrah
The Indian cricket team has been reeling from the absence of its star pacer Jasprit Bumrah in the second Test match against Australia. The decision to rest Bumrah has raised several eyebrows, with many questioning the logic behind it. Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan is one of the most prominent voices to have criticized the decision. In an interview with News18, Pathan expressed his concerns, saying, “If you’re selected for Indian team, then because of workload, you cannot pick and choose.”
Bumrah’s absence from the second Test has left many fans and experts alike wondering about the team’s strategy. The Indian team has been struggling with injuries and workload management, and many believe that the decision to rest Bumrah was a sign of the team’s inability to manage its resources effectively.
Pathan, who has played 174 international matches for India, including 113 ODIs and 29 Tests, believes that the team’s decision to rest Bumrah is a reflection of the lack of planning and strategy. “You can’t pick and choose who plays and who doesn’t,” he emphasized. “If you’re selected for the Indian team, then you have to be available for all the matches. You can’t just pick and choose when you want to play and when you don’t.”
One of the major concerns with Bumrah’s absence is the lack of stability in the team’s bowling attack. With Bumrah, India has one of the most potent fast bowling attacks in the world, but his absence has left a gaping hole. Pathan believes that the team’s decision to rest Bumrah has also affected the morale of the players. “When you’re not playing with your best bowler, it’s like playing with one arm tied behind your back,” he said.
Another concern that Pathan highlighted is the lack of preparation for the Test series. The Indian team has been struggling with injuries and workload management, and many believe that the decision to rest Bumrah was a sign of the team’s inability to manage its resources effectively. “India needs to plan for Tests assuming Bumrah and Mohammad Shami won’t always be available,” Pathan emphasized. “You can’t just rest your best bowlers and expect to win matches. You need to have a backup plan in place.”
Pathan also questioned the decision to play Akash Deep in the second Test, saying that the young pacer won’t achieve stability in his performance as he’ll play only during Bumrah’s absence. “You can’t expect a young bowler like Akash Deep to suddenly become a world-class bowler overnight,” he said. “He needs to be given opportunities to play regularly and learn from his mistakes. But when you’re playing only during Bumrah’s absence, it’s difficult for him to achieve stability in his performance.”
The debate about Bumrah’s absence from the second Test is not just limited to the Indian team’s strategy. Many fans and experts believe that the decision to rest Bumrah has also affected the team’s morale. “When you’re not playing with your best bowler, it’s like playing with one arm tied behind your back,” Pathan said. “The team’s morale has taken a hit, and it will take some time to recover from this setback.”
In conclusion, Pathan’s comments highlight the importance of planning and strategy in cricket. The Indian team needs to have a backup plan in place for when its best bowlers are not available. The decision to rest Bumrah has raised several eyebrows, and many believe that the team’s strategy needs to be reviewed. As Pathan emphasized, “You can’t pick and choose if selected for India. If you’re selected for the Indian team, then you have to be available for all the matches.”
