The Great Game Called Cricket...

Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar is surprised at all-rounder Yusuf Pathan's omission from the Indian squad for the first two one-dayers against Australia.

Gavaskar contended that the Baroda all-rounder should not be judged by how many runs he has scored but the impact he makes on the whole squad with his attacking brand of cricket.

"Number six does not get too many overs to score. He should be assessed on his impact. When you try to hit quick fire 20-30, you will get out and it should not be held against you," Gavaskar said.

"Otherwise, no one will try to slog at six and seven and will concentrate only on singles and doubles so that they can remain not out with a good 19 or 20," he added.

Gavaskar said that Yusuf's selection would have given a better balance to the Indian side.

"Not only the captain or coach, but the entire selection committee should think about utility and balance. Change for the sake of change is not good," Gavaskar told a TV channel.

The former Mumbai cricketer had commiseration for Rahul Dravid, who was also dropped.

"I think, Dravid was selected at the first place because Sehwag was unfit. There were also talks of young players not too comfortable against short-balls," Gavaskar said.

On the ODI series, Gavaskar said, "Pressure will be on Ricky Ponting. Ever since losing the prestigious Ashes, he has not played a single game in Australia. Hence, if he goes out winning from India, it will take some pressure off from his shoulder against the home-opposition this season."

Rahul Dravid came in to replace Sehwag because the others who are supposedly not so good against short-pitched deliveries, were all still part of the one-day side. I think it was only that Sehwag got fit and returned to the squad and Dravid missed out. That was quite simply it.