I think it was a very rational decision but given the unnecessary sentiments, it becomes a debate. There is no doubt that there nothing in Pathan's bowling to warrant him a play-in the current series. Whats wrong in releasing him to get Match Practise elsewhere which is the next best thing. Every country releases their players to play elsewhere if they dont fit in the scheme of the current series.
Pathan must be feeling low but he needs to understand that bigger names like Brett Lee, Wasim Akram, Kumble (the list can go on...) have faced an axe & worked their way back. He doesnt need to look far, look at Zaheer Khan. He is a completely changed bowler, thats what must motivate Pathan. He is young, has time on his side. Even if it takes him an year - whats the big deal?
Indian Cricket should look at the Aussies where they target a Player for 5-8 years Services, if he is exceptional, let him make the place his like Ponting, Warne. You must make the best of the Prime of a PLayer & leave him relaxed to prune himself to his Prime in the rest of the time.
RE:We read too much between the lines..
by DLN. Sastry on Dec 27, 2006 11:05 AM Permalink
I agree with your logic on Pathan. Your argument should have become more helpful if you also gave some suggestions about Sehwag and Sachin. The less-than-average performances of Sachin do not entitle him a place in the team permanently or until he volountarily retires, at the cost of up-coming youngsters, who would have contributed at least as much as, Sachin now-a-days does. Team building efforts for future are partially given-up, in order to favour the once-have-been-stalwarts. And about Sehwag the less we talk, the better. The team management is bent upon retaining him through dozens of failures, until he makes a good score (of course studded with a number of lives in the slips), which gives them an excuse to say, //..see...he is a match winner and an asset'//. When it comes to Sehwag BCCI is totally oblivious to the cause of Indian Cricket.
Please draw a comparison in the case of these two players also, with the exemplary Aussie practice.
To be fair to them I should also say here, that both are still agile while fielding, despite their depleted batting calibre.
Talkimg about others, Jaffer also should be dropped after the on-going series if he continues to fail.
