Yusuf Pathan axe not fair: Gavaskar

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New Delhi: 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 Yousuf'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 IBN7.

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.