You Can’t Pick & Choose If Selected for India: Irfan on Bumrah
The decision to rest Jasprit Bumrah for the upcoming second Test against Sri Lanka has sparked a debate in the cricketing fraternity. While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has cited workload management as the reason behind Bumrah’s absence, former India cricketer Irfan Pathan has expressed his reservations over the decision. In an interview, Pathan questioned the logic behind resting Bumrah, saying that if you’re selected for the Indian team, you cannot “pick and choose” when you want to play.
Bumrah’s absence from the second Test has raised eyebrows, especially considering the importance of the game and the team’s bid to win the series. The pacer’s ability to take wickets at crucial intervals has been a significant factor in India’s success in recent years, and his absence will undoubtedly be felt. However, the BCCI’s decision to rest him has been seen as a cautious approach to manage his workload and prevent injuries.
Pathan, who played 136 Tests and 170 ODIs for India, believes that the BCCI’s decision is short-sighted and will only lead to instability in the team’s performance. “If you’re selected for the Indian team, then because of workload, you cannot pick and choose. You have to play whenever you’re selected,” Pathan said in an interview. “If you don’t play, then you’ll lose your rhythm and form. And then you’ll be out of the team.”
Pathan’s comments have been echoed by many cricket fans and pundits, who believe that the decision to rest Bumrah will have a ripple effect on the team’s performance. With Bumrah’s absence, Akash Deep, a young pacer, is likely to make his Test debut. While Deep’s selection is a positive step for the team’s future, Pathan believes that he won’t be able to achieve stability in his performance due to the inconsistent nature of his selection.
“When you’re playing only during Bumrah’s absence, you can’t achieve stability in your performance. You need to play consistently to gain confidence and improve your skills,” Pathan said. “If you’re playing only during Bumrah’s absence, you’ll be under pressure, and that pressure will affect your performance.”
Pathan’s concerns are valid, considering the importance of consistency in Test cricket. A team’s performance is often measured by its ability to adapt to different conditions and overcome challenges. With Bumrah’s absence, India will need to rely on other bowlers to fill the void, but Pathan believes that this will only lead to instability.
India’s bowling attack has been a strength in recent years, with Bumrah and Mohammad Shami forming a deadly combination. However, Pathan believes that the team needs to plan for Tests assuming that Bumrah and Shami won’t always be available. “We need to plan for Tests assuming that Bumrah and Shami won’t always be available. We need to develop other bowlers and give them opportunities to play,” Pathan said.
In conclusion, Irfan Pathan’s comments have highlighted the importance of consistency in Test cricket. While the BCCI’s decision to rest Bumrah may have been taken with the best intentions, it is short-sighted and will only lead to instability in the team’s performance. India needs to develop other bowlers and plan for Tests assuming that Bumrah and Shami won’t always be available. Only then can the team achieve success and maintain its dominance in Test cricket.
