What has Praveen Kumar done wrong?

Most of the reaction to the announcement of the Indian squad for the 1st Test against West Indies centres around the absence of Harbhajan Singh, who has been left out of the squad following injury and a disappointing tour of England.

We are not surprised that Harbhajan has been left - he was shockingly bad at Lord's and Trent Bridge and his decline as a bowler has been going on for some time, so it makes perfect sense to give R Ashwin - so impressive in the recent series with England - a chance to cement a place in the Test side.

We were surprised to see that Praveen Kumar has been left out though. Kumar was India's lone star with the ball in England and troubled most of the top order despite his lack of pace with his immaculate control and ability to move the ball either way.

We can only presume that he is carrying an injury - although the fact that he played the day after in the T20 game against England suggests he is fine.

A bit of a strange one then...

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Comments

[Crownish]

I think they're just resting him, not sure how good he'll be in tests on Indian pitches so probably waiting for someone like Zak to come back and be the senior partner.

[yenjvoy]

What has he done wrong? Apart from being unable to bowl over 125 kmph if his life depended on it, absolutely nothing. Are you suggesting that we play PK when we have Umesh, Varun and Ishant?

[Martin]

What does pace matter when he gets wickets? 27 wickets in 6 Test matches at 25.81 is not to be sniffed at.

[Ian]

Really, this is not so strange. I see the strategic and steady hand of Duncan Fletcher in PK's absence from the 1st test squad: he is being rested, nothing more sinister than that. If India fails to turn over the WIndies in the first test, then he will return, post-haste. If, on the other hand, they win at a canter without him, then he will continue to stay out of the side whilst Fletch has a good long look at the others. And, of course, he'll be back, refreshed and rearing to go against the Aussies which is what this series is practice for! What was it Cromwell said? 'Trust in God and keep your powder dry.' I think.

[The Reverse Sweep]

You may be right Ian, but I think PK's performances in the Caribbean and in England warranted his inclusion in the squad - perhaps it would have been better to have rested/dropped Ishant after his inconsistent performances in the England series?

[The Reverse Sweep]

I'd have to agree with you Martin

[The Reverse Sweep]

Umesh and Varun are promising I grant you, but whilst all the other Indian bowlers disappointed and disappeared in England, it was PK who consistently delivered and bowled his heart out. None of the other Indian bowlers offer what PK does - Zaheer excepted, of course 

[The Reverse Sweep]

You may be right Crownish, but one would think his performances in the Caribbean and England warranted him being given a chance on home soil - but Fletcher has a thing for pace hence the promising but wet behind the ears Varun Aaron being given his chance so early

[Ian]

If PK is injured, why hasn't anyone from the BCCI come forward to explain his absence? Is this another instance of the BCCI not volunteering information or explanation?