It is very unfortunate that highest rum maker of practice match will not play in first test match.. but pathan is here as bowler so he should improve his bowling then return back into the team ,,, --- <<< ALL THE BEST TO HIM >>>---
Its really Shame to Leave Pathan, as he performed (With Bat) far better than any other Top Order Batsman in todays team.
India should have concentrated more on sorting his bowling problems these 10 days and should have used him as proper allrounder. Lets look at this, lets Say RVR comes in for him and lets say he takes 5 wickets in 2 innings and with out Pathan India score 250 + 200 runs (going by our batter's form). They cannot win the test match for sure with those many runs. Instead go with 5 bowlers take Pathan instead of misarable Jaffer, let Dravid and Shehavag open innings (any way all along Dravid has been coming to bat with in first 5 or 6 overs, then Lax, then Sachin (he is having problems with new ball in SA), then Gang, Dhoni, Pathan, ZAK,Kumble,Shree,RVR. Shevag (30+30) Dravid(60+60) Lax(40+30) Sachin(50+50) Gang(40+40) Dhoni(20+20) Pathan(30+30) others(20+20) 2 90+280 that would be a practicle estimate and with 5 bowlers you have more options to attack.
Gautam Gambhir should be a clear choice to face the new ball. Jaffer will definetly fail. And also if Ganguly is in just for the 83 runs then it doesnt make sense why Pathan is out who scored a century and batted better than Ganguly. Ganguly is a forgotten hero and let's leave him to that and not make a mistake by bringing him back. If not bowling, Pathan will, at least get some crucial match practice even if it comes through batting. I say let's have Sachin and Gautam open, and bring in Karthik for Sehwag.
Why Pathan is dropped when he is the only one performing with his bat(only guy to hit a century in the four day match agains Rest of SA) and virtually no performance from Sehwag at all finds himself in the team on a mere reputation and really no hard work. Let Pathan strengthen the middle order if the openers get out cheaply like the ODIs. We need to bite the bullet and give Pathan a chance to bat in the middle order. Let Jaffer open with Tendulkar. When is this political situation going to improve in Indian cricket and play with the careers of hard working players. I am sure Sehwag will come back with better results if he does the English county stunts like Zaheer khan instead of taking his place for granted.
