Irfan Pathan blasts Ajit Agarkar over Jasprit Bumrah’s selection for West Indies Tests

Former India National Cricket Team all-rounder Irfan Pathan is not a happy man seeing the superstar pacer Jasprit Bumrah in the Test squad for the series against the West Indies National Cricket Team.

Irfan Pathan reckoned that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection committee should have given a chance to a young fast bowler for the upcoming Test series, instead of including Jasprit Bumrah in the squad.

Bumrah remains committed to Test cricket, which is fantastic - Irfan Pathan

Jasprit Bumrah is among the three specialist pacers in India's squad for the red-ball games against the Roston Chase-led side. The selectors have kept Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna alongside Bumrah and have released the likes of Akash Deep, Anshul Kamboj, Arshdeep Singh, and Shardul Thakur from the Test squad.

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Bumrah last played Test matches for India on the England tour, where he featured in three out of five games to manage his workload.

Meanwhile, speaking on his official YouTube channel, Irfan Pathan has questioned Jasprit Bumrah's selection and opined that a young pacer could have been tested against the West Indies.

“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.

“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.

Does this mean Kuldeep Yadav may miss out again? - Irfan Pathan

Irfan Pathan further lauded the selectors' call to recall Axar Patel to the Test squad after the spin-bowling all-rounder was unfairly dropped despite his sensational performances.

However, he reckoned that the return of Axar Patel could mean that the left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav might be benched for the matches against the West Indies. Notably, Kuldeep Yadav also warmed up on the bench in all five matches of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025.

“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.

Who will fill that Ashwin role? - Irfan Pathan

Irfan Pathan was also curious to see who would fill the shoes of the legendary Ravichandran Ashwin in the home Test series.

“Who will fill that Ashwin role? Washington Sundar brings some qualities, but he does not have all of Ashwin’s traits… Jadeja supported Ashwin well, but now someone new must step up for that role. Could it be Kuldeep Yadav or Washington Sundar, or even Axar Patel? Each offers something different,” he said.

Also Read: Jasprit Bumrah launches brutal attack on Mohammad Kaif over shocking injury avoidance claim