“I'm not buying the narrative” - Irfan Pathan comes out in defense of Gautam Gambhir for 2nd Test

Former Indian all-rounder and commentator Irfan Pathan has come out in support of the Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir for picking Washington Sundar instead of Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI for the second Test against England in Birmingham.

Interestingly, at the toss, Gill stated that to enhance their lower-order batting, they have brought in Washington Sundar instead of their attacking spin option Kuldeep Yadav into the playing XI. Pathan took to X to state that it wasn’t a negative move.

"I'm not buying the narrative that playing Washington Sundar is a negative move. It’s actually an attempt to fix what’s been missing for a while - lower-order resistance. And let’s not forget, he will contribute with the ball too. Specially vs English batters,” Irfan Pathan posted on his X handle.

https://x.com/IrfanPathan/status/1940378534104760658 

Furthermore, Pathan also questioned the decision to rest Jasprit Bumrah, citing workload management. Interestingly, Bumrah has been given the option to pick and choose the games, which didn’t go down well with Pathan.

"When you have been selected in the Indian team, you can't pick and choose citing workload. There is no bowler like Bumrah; he is the No. 1, world-class bowler. But there is no injury here; it is workload management. When you pick and choose because of workload management, you expect Akash Deep to do something magical straightaway. He might do that, but any bowler needs time, and continuity is very important,” Irfan Pathan told Sony Sports Network.

"We have to start thinking of playing without Bumrah and Shami in Test cricket. The planning should be done keeping that in mind. If my main bowler is not playing all five Test matches in an overseas series, I am at a loss. I don't have Bumrah for all the matches, and the youngster replacing him doesn't get the stability,” he added.

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