Harbhajan, Pathan cool about non-selection: Chappell

ST. JOHN'S: India's coach Greg Chappell says off-spin bowler Harbhajan Singh would have been a luxury in the first Test against West Indies at the Antigua Recreation, and fast bowler Irfan Pathan needed a break.    

The two were surprise omissions from India's 11 for the Test, as the tour selection panel opted for a three-man pace attack supported by wily leg-spinner Anil Kumble.    

"We couldn't afford to play Harbhajan under the conditions," Chappell told reporters. "We felt that we needed three pace bowlers. There wasn't a place for a second spin bowler. We knew that Virender Sehwag could do a job if required, and I thought that he bowled very well."    

Sehwag snared the important wickets of Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Dwayne Bravo late on the second day to leave West Indies on 318 for six when stumps were drawn.    

On Pathan, Chappell disclosed that the left-arm fast bowler understands why he is not playing in the Test. "He appreciates this, and I think probably the break will do him good," he said. "It wouldn't have been good for him to come out and bowl badly, and suffer a bigger dent to his confidence.    

He added, "It was thought he should regroup and come back as I am sure he will. I am confident he will play in this series at some stage or the other, but under the conditions we felt that the other options were the better ones."    

Chappell believes the Test is still an open affair although the hosts enjoyed a lead of 77 after two days. "We've got some work to do, but the Test match is still there to be won, so we need to play well," he said. "I think conditions weren't easy for batting on Friday. We decided when we won the toss to bat first.    

"In hindsight that may not have been the ideal thing to do, but I think it was important that we did it, and we tried to take control of the game. West Indies bowled pretty well.    

"I thought our guys under the circumstances didn't play badly, but maybe 300 was probably a more likely score under the conditions."    

Chappell stated that his side obviously needed to bat well in the second innings, but keeping the West Indies lead down to less than 100 was important.    

"We've got to get four wickets first, but obviously we need to bat well and what is required for the second innings is anyone's guess, but all we know is that we need to prepare ourselves for a very good batting performance," he said.

"I think with the new ball, it's still going to do the odd thing. Even on the second day there was the odd ball that bounced a bit awkwardly. If you get the ball in the right areas, I still think it's going to do a little bit so the new ball will be important."    

India are seeking to reverse a record of not winning a Test series in the Caribbean for the last 35 years.