Have we given up on Irfan Pathan, The Test Player?

[Sean Bradley]

With Laxman's retirement, the Test No. 6 spot is wide open for grabs, and when we look around the circuit, what have we got? Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, great prospects but far from finished. Inclusion of S Badrinath has raised a few eye brows on ICF. But have we written of Irfan Pathan the Test player?? With Dhoni at 6 and Irfan at 7, followed by Ashwin at 8, doesnt it give our Test side a great balance. Irfans very effective against handling short pitch bowling, and is an under-rated bat, given an opportunity and confidence, he has a great potential of being a good batting all-rounder. A decent new ball bowler (off late, he has got that in swing to the right handers back) and can exploit reverse swing pretty well. Thoughts?

[deathmonger]

yes. will hardly do worse than the likes of badri etc and his bowling is an addition, get a couple of wickets etc.

[SLICKR392]

yes. will hardly do worse than the likes of badri etc and his bowling is an addition' date=' get a couple of wickets etc.[/quote'] Badri can only dream of getting a chance in the playing XI with Raina on the bench and MSD as the skipper.

[Sean Bradley]

Badri can only dream of getting a chance in the playing XI with Raina on the bench and MSD as the skipper.

its not about playing 11, does Irfan Pathan deserve a chance ahead of Badri? Is he more skilful and more experienced than Badrinath?

[Ultimate_Game]

I think Irfan deserves to be in the Test team in places like Aus, SA and Eng especially at venues which are conducive to fast bowling and have something in it for fast bowlers. I don't think he can be any worse than what Unadkat was in that Test against SA in 2010.

[SLICKR392]

its not about playing 11' date=' does Irfan Pathan deserve a chance ahead of Badri? Is he more skilful and more experienced than Badrinath?[/quote'] He is skillful for sure but not in the Test level. He might do well with the bat but his current bowling variations are no way suited for Test.

[Sid]

Hmm...no thnx,we dont play Bangers and Zimboks in test cricket now.Let him settle in as our ODI/T20 all rounder