Re: 2nd Test Australia vs. India at Sydney Jan 02-06 2008
Welcome back. Agree on Jaffer, but I thought Ishant did pretty well, actually bowled much better than I remember him doing against Bangladesh. Consistently in the mid 130s and pretty good line and bounce too. Somehow I struggle seeing Pathan as a main bowling option. Ok with him as a third bowler if we play 5 bowlers, but dont think he's good enough to be one of two pace bowlers.
If it was up to me....I would play Pathan instead of Jaffer and have Pathan open with Dravid. I have no doubts in my mind that Pathan is a better batsman than Jaffer on lively pitches (esp against short balls).
But to do that would be way too radical for Indian team management...I could expect such things from Greg Chappel but not from the current mgmt.
Even with reduced speed, Pathan has been bowling well....I don't know why the team mgmt is so adamant in keeping him out in Test Matches....when he has been consistently taking wickets in ODIs.....I mean clocking 140mph is not "do-all end-all" for medium pacers. Pathan has experience and plenty of variations in bowling.
They keep Pathan out...and at the same time recall a 3rd class bowler like VRV Singh....who just steams in and delivers a load of crap.