You Can’t Pick & Choose If Selected for India: Irfan on Bumrah
The Indian cricket team is gearing up for the second Test match against Bangladesh, and the biggest talking point ahead of the match is the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. The star pacer has been rested for the second Test due to workload management, and this decision has not gone down well with many cricket enthusiasts. Ex-India cricketer Irfan Pathan is one such person who has expressed his disappointment over Bumrah’s absence.
In an interview with News18, Irfan Pathan expressed his concerns over the Indian team’s decision to rest Bumrah. He believes that once you are selected for the Indian team, you cannot pick and choose when to play or not. According to Irfan, the team must plan for Tests assuming that Bumrah and Mohammad Shami won’t always be available.
“I think it’s a bit of a concern. If you’re selected for the Indian team, then because of workload, you cannot pick and choose. You have to understand that you’re representing the country and you have to be available for every game. You can’t say that I’ll play only when I feel like it or when I’m not tired. You have to be professional about it,” Irfan said.
Irfan’s words of wisdom are a reminder that being selected for the Indian team is a privilege, and once you are chosen, you must be prepared to put in the hard work and dedication required to succeed. He believes that Bumrah’s absence will lead to instability in the team’s performance, especially since the young pacer Akash Deep will be called upon to replace him.
“Look, Akash Deep is a talented guy, but he’s not going to get stability in his performance because he’s going to play only during Bumrah’s absence. You need to build a team that can play consistently, and you can’t keep on resting players for workload management. You have to plan for Tests assuming that Bumrah and Shami won’t always be available,” Irfan emphasized.
Irfan’s concerns are valid, especially considering the team’s performance in the recently concluded T20 World Cup. The Indian team’s struggles in the tournament were partly due to the absence of key players, including Bumrah and Shami. The team’s inability to adapt to different situations and conditions was a major factor in their early exit from the tournament.
The Indian team is known for its strong bowling attack, and Bumrah’s absence will undoubtedly be felt. However, Irfan believes that the team must plan for the future and prepare for the possibility that Bumrah and Shami may not always be available.
“You have to build a team that can play consistently, and you can’t keep on resting players for workload management. You have to plan for Tests assuming that Bumrah and Shami won’t always be available. You have to build a team that can adapt to different situations and conditions,” Irfan said.
In conclusion, Irfan’s words of wisdom serve as a reminder that being selected for the Indian team is a privilege, and once you are chosen, you must be prepared to put in the hard work and dedication required to succeed. The Indian team must plan for the future and prepare for the possibility that Bumrah and Shami may not always be available.
