Why Ravindra Jadeja instead of Irfan Pathan?

On February 1, Ravindra Jadeja played and Irfan Pathan didn t? If I had to choose between the two in any form of cricket at any place my choice would be Pathan. Jadeja played in World T20 in 2009 in England after his success from IPL 2008. He was not success as an all-rounder. I remember he was sent tobat at no. 4 score at strike rate less than 100, making it difficult for the coming batsman. Jadeja played again in World T20 in West indies and he was biffed for hat rick of sixes couple of times. He did not manage any good score with the bat. Thank God he was not in the squad of ODI World Cup. In todays match he conceded more than 10 runs per over and was not good with the bat either. Lets refresh some memories about Irfan Pathan. In 2007 World T20, he scored valuable runs in lower order at good rate when needed; took match turning wickets and also bowled well in the Final against Pakistan. Pathan has taken Hat rick wickets, open the batting and scored century in tests, been used as floater and pinch hitter in ODIs. I believed Pathan is the best and proven seam bowling all-rounder for India currently. He would go for runs sometimes but would not concede more than 10 run per over like Jadeja. Aswin is handy with the bat so no point picking Jadeja outside sub-continent.

Y. Ahir 1 February 2012