I am not thrilled about India's squad. However, I feel that Wasim Jaffer's selection is both good and bad. It shows that India are partaking in a policy of sticking with players rather than chopping and changing, as most Indian fans would want. It is bad though, because I feel that Jaffer has been given enough chances over his various stints already; I do not believe him consistent enough to be a Test batsmen. He also has technical deficiencies in the corridor too, which is certainly not needed from such a defensive batsman.
Both fans and selectors alike are reluctant to back Aakash Chopra for a Test spot. I believe that this is because of a condition with all fans and selectors (mostly Indian) who want instant greatness and are unwilling to stick with consistent mediocraty. I believe that Chopra will never average more than 40 over a Test career, but that he will be extremely solid and wear off the new ball. However, most Indians want the 'quick fix' in chopping and changing until there is a hope of a batsmen who may average over 40 over a career...until of course, he fails in two innings and then his head is called for by angry fans.
As for the bowlers, I don't believe that Sreesanth has it in him to be a Test bowler. I believe that he lacks the consistency needed to put pressure on batsmen for more than 5 balls. This being said, he has had an okay start to his Test career and given his good form against South Africa, his selection is understandable. I am leaning toward thinking that Praveen Kumar would have been a better selection though. Kumar has shown himself deadly with the new ball in ODIs and domestic cricket with his massive swing and sharpish bouncer and I feel that his deficiencies with the old ball (due to lack of pace) can be covered as the Indian plan is to play two spinners and have RP Singh play, who is a fine old ball bowler himself.
Pathan is in the squad, his selection is understandable but allow me to comment on his 'new' action. Many have criticised that it has taken away his 'banana swing' but it is clear to me that he is more likely to be a successful Test bowler with this action. This will make Richard cry with joy, but it is true that Pathan has a poor record against Test standard nations. He now gets well and truly side on and has made a concievable, albeit unsucessful attempt to use his front arm. He rotates out of the action well too but it all seems very stiff and rigid whereas he was more loose before. His action is Liam Plunkett-esque in that it looks robotic. I think that a part of this is that the action is not natural to him, I am unconvinced whether or not time will heal this deficiency but if he works on his fitness in his two weeks rest (the period India have a small rest in) as Gloster has suggested, then perhaps he will regain a looser action.
WoW. Don't see that very often. If he does retire, TBH, won't find it too premature - he's 33 now, has never been a particularly good Test bowler and will almost certainly not be a ODI-class one either come the next WC.
