Lets discuss the topic on its face value. The coach and captain have always showed faith in Irfan Pathan's all-rounder potential. The experimentation done with Irfan (like batting up) helped show the world what he is capable of. Of course he is batting well (better than Jaffer/Shehwag), but his true potential to the team would be when he can bowl confidently. The question arises, with his current form (as a all rounder who is a bowler first), he wouldnt stand a chance to play in the test matches. So I would like to see it as the strategic solution to allow re-gain the touch. I therefore sincerely believe this would have been taken after taking Pathan in confidence and with his best interest in mind. Now its upto Pathan to make best of it...and I am sure he will. If he cannot then probably team india is better off without him. I wish him best of luck..and would think this could have been the best thing to have happend to him at this point in time. (Rather than being dropped at the end of series). Of course the question is why not Shehwag and Jaffer (give Gambhir..a promising player who is also ODI prospect). Esp. Jaffer whos not scoring and def. not playing ODI leading to WorldC.
