Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has shared a strong opinion on Jasprit Bumrah’s workload management ahead of the fourth Test in the ongoing five-match series against England, set to begin on Wednesday, July 23, at Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester.
Bumrah’s workload has been a key talking point throughout the series, with team management having already confirmed that the 31-year-old speedster would be rested for two of the five Tests. Weighing in on the discussion, Pathan emphasized that Bumrah should only take the field if he’s fully fit and ready to perform at his peak.
Speaking on his official YouTube channel (@officialIrfanPathan), the 40-year-old firmly stated:
“I believe when you play cricket for India, you give it your all. When it comes to a five-over spell and you say Root has come in, you’ve bowled five overs, and you won’t bowl the sixth, that shouldn’t happen. You have to give everything. Either you give everything or you rest properly.”
“When it’s about the country, when it’s about the team, and even if it’s not about the country, at least it’s about the team. The country always matters. But when you play in the team, you are playing for your teammates. You want to give your everything for them. No one, whether on your right, left, the eleven players on the field or those sitting outside, would want anything less,” he added.
Pathan further continued:
“You play for them first. Your biggest responsibility is to play for your team. So when I said that in commentary, I will always stand by it. The team always comes first. And when you play, you have to give everything. I’m not questioning whether he put in effort.”
“Of course, he did. He bowled his overs. There’s no doubt about it. But where an extra push is needed for the team, you have to give it. At that point, you have to set workload aside. That’s what I believe.”
“Bumrah Needs to Be Fully Ready”- Irfan Pathan
In the video, Irfan Pathan stressed that Jasprit Bumrah should be ready to give his all and deliver a six-over spell if the team needs it, even on the last day of the match. He pointed to England captain Ben Stokes as an example, referencing his similar effort during the final day of the Lord’s Test.
“So when Bumrah plays, he should play with full intensity and effort because we want to see him as the world’s number one. For him to stay at the top long term, it will only happen when he regularly wins matches for his team.”
“That will happen only when, instead of stopping at five overs, you bowl that sixth over too when the team needs it, even if it’s the fifth day. Ben Stokes did it. Jofra Archer came back after four years and did it too,” Pathan said.
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