Chennai: In a significant development, Sourav Ganguly has been picked in the Indian squad for the three-Test series in Pakistan. Paceman Zaheer Khan's comeback is along expected lines, but the move to recall wicket-keeper batsman Parthiv Patel will be debated upon.

Questionable

Experience appears to have given Ganguly a lifeline in what should be a tough, arduous tour. But then, the decision to drop the former Indian captain for the third Test against Sri Lanka was questionable in the first place.

Having decided to play Ganguly in the first Test, the wise men needed to provide him a fair run. And the former India captain was just getting into his stride in the second Test at Ferozeshah Kotla when he received the axe.

If the selectors had an eye on the future, then Mohammed Kaif should not have been dumped after just one Test. The problem is that the wise men have been sending out mixed messages in recent days.

Chairman of selectors Kiran More said Ganguly had to be left out since it would not be possible to pick him in the eleven ahead of Yuvraj Singh in Ahmedabad. That problem still persists, with skipper Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, V.V.S. Laxman and Yuvraj likely to occupy the middle-order slots.

Yuvraj is batting with confidence, flair and re-worked technique. In how the team-management handles Ganguly on a demanding campaign remains to be seen.

The former India captain brings with him a wealth of knowledge and if he is made to feel welcome, could contribute positively.

Important practice match

In this context, the three-day tour game in Lahore from January 7 assumes importance.

The team for the first Test in Lahore, beginning from January 13, will in all probability be fielded in this game, unless the think-tank decides to give a paceman like Irfan Pathan some rest.

The opening combination remains an area of concern, with Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir losing rhythm and form. The elegant Wasim Jaffer has made runs in domestic cricket, and the team has a viable option in him. The Indian top-order has to prevent the Pakistani pacemen from making the early inroads.

Potent pace trio

Interestingly, Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has more than hinted that the pitches for the series would assist the quicker bowlers, and his team has a potent trio in Shoaib Akhtar, Rana Naved and Mohammed Sami. If the middle-order is exposed soon, the Indians could be in trouble. The selectors' decision to pick three openers cannot be faulted.

However, the choice of Patel as the second wicketkeeper-batsman is hard to comprehend. With Mahendra Singh Dhoni cementing his place, it is unlikely that Patel will receive a look-in. In the event of an injury to Dhoni, a replacement could have been flown out to Pakistan in a matter of hours.

Kaarthick's omission

In any case, Dinesh Kaarthick, named in the ICC's list of emerging cricketers, would have made a better choice than Patel. In this case, the selectors have chosen to put domestic form over potential.

Zaheer makes a welcome return and he should add teeth to the attack.

Essentially a seam bowler, Zaheer could combine well with Pathan, a swinger. Ajit Agarkar lacks variety with the new ball, reverse swings as the sphere becomes older, but needs to pull his weight in Test cricket. Rightly, Rudra Pratap Singh keeps his place in a left-arm dominated pace attack.

Anil Kumble and Harbhajan are a formidable spin pair, but the absence of left-armer Murali Kartik is surprising. As on most occasions, he has been desperately unlucky.

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