He'd replace Shami/Zaheer/Srinath, not KapilPollock -Much better bowler, equal as bats, better fieldsman. Pollock > Kapil.
Pollock even as a bowler is > Kapil the player. Pollock will walk in to India ATG side as a bowler alone and would replace Kapil tool
Pollock is way better than Shami, Zaheer, Srinath or Kapil as a bowler. Only Indian bowler to be in his class in Bumrah. Let's do a thought experiment.He'd replace Shami/Zaheer/Srinath, not Kapil
Then everybody will be selecting Merv.…… but boy…the moustache.
I was actually referring more to the Indian AT side in general rather than selecting sides depending on conditions where general consensus is playing 3 seamers + 2 spinners. In that case Kapil easily walks in this side along with Pollock and Bumrah as he is pretty clearly among the top 2 seamers India have ever had as of now IMO. Kapil, Pollock, Ashwin, Kumble, Bumrah would also ensure the tail is quite a decent one.Pollock is way better than Shami, Zaheer, Srinath or Kapil as a bowler. Only Indian bowler to be in his class in Bumrah. Let's do a thought experiment.
The Indian top order would be Shewag, Gavaskar, Dravid, Tendulkar, Ganguly and VVS. Say #7 goes to a keeper and we are left with 4 spots for the bowlers. Kumble or Ashwin has spinners spot secured. Then you need two more pacers and a spinner or three seamers. Second spinners spot will go to Ashwin / Kumble / Jadeja, who were greater match winners in SC than Kapil. Bumrah and Pollock would easily secure two fast bowling spots. Overseas tours, There is a chance for Kapil as you would need three seamers. But then Kapil has stiff competition for the third pacers spot. Once you have six batters, Dhoni and Pollock (and may be Ashwin if you prefer him to Kumble), there is no need for more batting. The primary criterion for selection would be fast bowling only. Srinath, Zaheer, Shami, Amar Singh all give some tough competiton to Kapil.
Conclusion: On a SC track, Pollock easily selects himself over Kapil. on a seaming track, Kapil still could get in. So yes, Pollock will not replace Kapil, but Ashwin / Jadeja would.
If Kapil AND Pollock are both avail for an ind ATG XI, both easily make it, and improve the team considerablyPollock is way better than Shami, Zaheer, Srinath or Kapil as a bowler. Only Indian bowler to be in his class in Bumrah. Let's do a thought experiment.
The Indian top order would be Shewag, Gavaskar, Dravid, Tendulkar, Ganguly and VVS. Say #7 goes to a keeper and we are left with 4 spots for the bowlers. Kumble or Ashwin has spinners spot secured. Then you need two more pacers and a spinner or three seamers. Second spinners spot will go to Ashwin / Kumble / Jadeja, who were greater match winners in SC than Kapil. Bumrah and Pollock would easily secure two fast bowling spots. Overseas tours, There is a chance for Kapil as you would need three seamers. But then Kapil has stiff competition for the third pacers spot. Once you have six batters, Dhoni and Pollock (and may be Ashwin if you prefer him to Kumble), there is no need for more batting. The primary criterion for selection would be fast bowling only. Srinath, Zaheer, Shami, Amar Singh all give some tough competition to Kapil. Kapil averages 29.9 in SENAW countries. Bumrah, B. Kumar and Shami, all average better than Kapil and are much potent with strike rates. ( I have disregarded players with <50 SENAW wickets)
Conclusion: On a SC track, Pollock easily selects himself over Kapil. on a seaming track, Kapil still could get in. So yes, Pollock will not replace Kapil, but Ashwin / Jadeja would.
Replace Kohli with Jadeja then, worked for Rahane.Jadeja > Kumble quite easily for me at this point. Kumble was a better bowler but Jadeja is a much better player and brings more to the side..
The issue here is when India can play two spinners in SC they don't want three pacers. VVS for Kapil would improve batting considerably. And no one will want to play Dhoni at number 6 in test matches as well.If Kapil AND Pollock are both avail for an ind ATG XI, both easily make it, and improve the team considerably
Gavaskar
Sehwag
Dravid
Tendulkar
Kohli
Dhoni
Kapil
Pollock
Ashwin
Kumble
Bumrah
We don't want 3 pacers because we don't have 3 good pacers, if we actually had good ones we'll play them all the time.The issue here is when India can play two spinners in SC they don't want three pacers. VVS for Kapil would improve batting considerably. And no one will want to play Dhoni at number 6 in test matches as well.