Irfan Pathan said on the defeat in the Lord’s Test, India should learn from bowlers like Stokes-Archer.
After India’s 22-run defeat in the third Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy between England and India, former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has raised questions on the limited use of Jasprit Bumrah. He praised the fitness and dedication of English captain Ben Stokes. Ben Stokes had several surgeries last year, despite this he bowled continuously in the Lord’s Test.
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Stokes’ workload is not talked about – Irfan
Irfan Pathan said on his YouTube channel, “Ben Stokes bowled a long spell of 9.2 overs on the morning of the fifth day. He bats, bowls and also makes an important run out of Rishabh Pant. But, there is no talk about his workload. But this is not the case in India.”
Irfan looked unhappy with the use of Jasprit
The former Indian all-rounder expressed disappointment over the limited use of Bumrah and said, “Bumrah bowls five overs, and then waits for Joe Root to come to bat, whereas you have to control the match. His workload was managed because he did not play the Edgbaston Test. But when you are on the field, there is no talk of workload, you have to win the match at any cost.”
It is worth noting that since the announcement of India’s England series, there was a discussion about Bumrah playing in the team. He was rested for the Edgbaston Test after the first Test played in Leeds, which the team management termed as workload management.
Irfan praised Stokes’ bowling style
English captain Ben Stokes bowled consistently in difficult conditions at Lord’s, and contributed significantly to England’s victory with his ‘hit-the-deck’ bowling style. Pathan also praised Jofra Archer, who returned to Test cricket after four years and bowled almost 40 overs of fast bowling and bowled long spells in the second innings.
Irfan Pathan said, “Jofra Archer was playing a Test match after almost four years, but he did not stop. He bowled six overs in the morning and then came back and bowled. Stokes did not think about the workload, if he can bowl nine overs, why should we stay behind.”
