Jasprit Bumrah’s selection vs WI seems like a missed opportunity not to play a young pacer: Irfan Pathan

Former India all-rounder and commentator Irfan Pathan has stated that the Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah playing the two-match Test series is a missed opportunity for Team India and the selection committee to groom a young pacer.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Irfan stated that if he were a selector or team manager, he would have tried to give a young pacer an opportunity, focusing on their development instead of finding quick results. 

Moreover, Pathan also heaped praise on Bumrah for prioritizing red-ball cricket, but added that India needs to groom a group of eight pacers for the long term instead of having a crop of three to four fast bowlers. 

“It seems like a missed opportunity not to play a young fast bowler in these two Tests, but that’s the team’s current direction. If I were a selector or manager, I would have surely tried to give a young fast bowler an opportunity, focusing on their development, not just quick results. Bumrah remains committed to Test cricket, which is fantastic,” Pathan said on his YouTube channel.

“Still, it’s good that Bumrah maintains Test cricket as his priority. Selectors could have utilised this series to give proper rest to Bumrah and groom a young fast bowler, something India must prioritise for long-term vision. India needs a group of eight good fast bowlers, not just three or four,” he added.

For the unversed, alongside Bumrah, the selection committee named Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy as three other pacers. On the other hand, Pathan also stated that Kuldeep Yadav might find it difficult to make it to the playing XI vs WI.

“Axar’s return strengthens the team. When Axar plays alongside Washington and Jadeja, the team gains batting depth. Does this mean Kuldeep Yadav may miss out again? I would definitely want to see him play, but with home conditions generally allowing only two fast bowlers, his spot is not guaranteed,” he said.

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