You Can’t Pick & Choose If Selected for India: Irfan on Bumrah
The decision to rest Jasprit Bumrah for the second Test of the ongoing series has sparked a debate in the cricketing fraternity. While some have praised the move, citing the need to manage the workload of India’s premier fast bowler, others have criticized the decision, fearing it may disrupt the team’s rhythm. Ex-India cricketer Irfan Pathan is one such voice, who has expressed his concerns over the decision to rest Bumrah, saying that if you’re selected for the Indian team, you cannot pick and choose when you want to play or rest.
In an interview with News18, Irfan Pathan emphasized that once you’re part of the Indian team, you have to be prepared to play and perform consistently, without taking breaks whenever you feel like it. “If you’re selected for the Indian team, you can’t pick and choose. You have to be available and ready to play whenever the team needs you,” he said.
Irfan’s comments come in the wake of Bumrah’s absence from the second Test, which has raised questions about the team’s decision to rest him. While Bumrah has been carrying a niggling injury, Irfan feels that the team should have planned better and not rested him for the entire Test match.
“It’s not just about Bumrah, it’s about the team’s preparation and planning. If you know you’re going to need a player for a Test match, you should plan accordingly. You can’t just rest him for a Test match and expect someone else to fill in the gap,” Irfan pointed out.
Irfan also expressed his concerns about the team’s approach to resting players. He feels that the team should not be resting players unnecessarily, as it can disrupt the team’s rhythm and affect the overall performance.
“When you rest a player, you’re not just resting him, you’re also affecting the team’s dynamics. You’re disrupting the team’s rhythm and making it difficult for others to adjust. It’s not just about the individual player, it’s about the team’s performance as a whole,” he said.
Irfan’s comments have sparked a debate about the team’s approach to resting players. While some have praised the decision to rest Bumrah, citing the need to manage his workload, others have criticized the decision, fearing it may disrupt the team’s rhythm.
Irfan also expressed his views on the team’s decision to play Akash Deep in place of Bumrah. While Akash Deep has shown promise in domestic cricket, Irfan feels that he won’t be able to achieve stability in his performance as he’ll be playing only during Bumrah’s absence.
“Akash Deep is a talented young bowler, but he needs to play consistently to develop his skills. When you’re playing only during someone else’s absence, you can’t expect to achieve stability in your performance. You need to play regularly to develop your skills and confidence,” he said.
Irfan’s comments have raised questions about the team’s approach to building a strong bowling unit. He feels that the team should be building a strong bowling unit that can perform consistently, rather than relying on individual players.
“India needs to plan for Tests assuming that Bumrah and Mohammad Shami won’t always be available. We need to build a strong bowling unit that can perform consistently, rather than relying on individual players. The team needs to have a Plan B and Plan C, so that even if one player is injured or rested, the team can still perform well,” he said.
In conclusion, Irfan Pathan’s comments have sparked a debate about the team’s approach to resting players and building a strong bowling unit. While some have praised the decision to rest Bumrah, citing the need to manage his workload, others have criticized the decision, fearing it may disrupt the team’s rhythm. Irfan’s comments highlight the need for the team to have a plan B and Plan C, so that even if one player is injured or rested, the team can still perform well.
