Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan said that India need to start thinking about playing Test cricket without Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami. Bumrah, who had a terrifuc outing in the first Test against England, was left out due to workload management. Pathan said a bowler can't pick as choose which game he wants to play because whoever comes in as his replacement would need some time to settle in.

“If you are selected in the Indian team, you cannot pick and choose (which match to play) to manage your workload,” he said on Sony Sports. “There is no other bolwer like him, he is world class. But here, you are not missing the match for injury but for ‘workload management’. Now Akash Deep will take his place, and be expected to do well as soon as he comes — and maybe he does — but any bowler needs time to settle in. That continuity is needed.”

“This is why I have been saying that Indian cricket has to start thinking about playing without Bumrah and (Mohammed) Shami. They have to start planning for playing without them in Test cricket,” he added.

Pathan further explained why Jasprit Bumrah in and out of the playing XI will work in India's disadvantage. “The main fast bowler of the lineup cannot play all five Tests overseas, so firstly, India don’t have Bumrah’s services throughout the series and secondly, his replacement, a younger player, is only getting a chance to play when he doesn’t. So he does not have stability,” he said.

“This is the only overseas five-match series of the new World Test Championship cycle. This was the series in which Bumrah was needed most. If he had a niggle or an injury, I would understand. But just to manage his workload? Then I don’t think this is coming to India’s advantage,” he would add.