Re: Wasim Akram slams Chappell for dropping Pathan/Agarkar (Comments on Sachin/VRV Singh)
There is too much emphasis in this thread about who said it and why, rather than the actual contents of his opinion. Just like we, an average cricket fan, have a right to express our opinion on anything we feel like, similarly former international cricketers also have similar right. That your words stay on Gupshup and his are reprinted in major news papers is because he has earned his right and his credentials. Now get rid of the jealous buwa syndrome, and focus on his comments.
How correct was it to drop Pathan from the first test? I just skim through the scorecards and some bulletins, but the decision to drop Pathan on the grounds that his confidence is low sounds more than absurd - its downright insulting. Arguably, Pathan is the best Indian fast bowler produced in recent times. To replace him with no-name potential fast bowlers is unforgivable. It would be perfectly fine to drop him if he were injured or if there was a better and more experienced fast bowler waiting in the wings.
I know many of you want to be on the fence on this issue because the test is still going on and you want to hedge your bets, but I'd say dropping Pathan on confidence grounds is wrong, even if India wins the test match.
Re: comments on Sachin, I don't know. There is a tendency to cut superstars like Sachin some slack and make all kinds of politically correct statements in his defense, but we'll see how he performs when he comes back from injury.