Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan said that when a player goes to the field, he should not think about ‘workload’ but should focus only on giving his best for his country.
Irfan said to The Lallantop: “I believe that technology and recovery should go hand in hand. You should also listen to your body. But once you step onto the field, workload shouldn’t be a consideration anymore. Then it’s just a battle. One team against another. You have to win. It’s a battle, and your only focus should be on winning by any means, Recovery and field technology are fine. But once you step in, you’re wearing the Indian jersey. After that, don’t look back. You can’t say, ‘I’ll just bowl four overs’ or ‘I’ll bowl three overs’. People don’t just say this, they do it. That’s how it works these days.”
When Jasprit Bumrah, a modern-day great, was rested for two Test matches in England, there were many criticisms from cricket experts. Bumrah took 14 wickets from three matches, including two fifers, and was the fourth-highest wicket-taker of the series.
Irfan also gave the example of Mohammed Siraj to support his statement. Siraj played all the matches and bowled 185.3 overs, the highest by any bowler in the series.
“I’m talking about everyone, not just one player. Everyone. Siraj, on the last day of the last Test, was bowling at 145 km/h. He has a workload too, right? This applies to everyone. But once you step in, you give it your all,” said Irfan.
India’s next big assignment is the Asia Cup in September, and it will be interesting to see whether Bumrah will be available.
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