Rising talent Pathan has taken 91 Test match wickets since his debut back in 2003, but the 22-year-old left-arm seamer managed only one wicket throughout three one-day contests and has been subsequently omitted for the Test matches.
Pathan, recognised as one his country's most gifted all-rounders, has suffered a dramatic slump in form and Indian cricket officials told the media out in South Africa that India's management and head selector Dilip Vengsarkar have told Pathan to go home and play domestic matches to help rekindle some of his confidence.
Pathan's absence and poor form is a major blow to the tourists, who lost the one-day series 4-0. He was initially replaced in the squad by exciting teenage talent Ishant Sharma, who plays for New Delhi state, but the selectors then told Sharma to stay in India and concentrate on domestic cricket.

• FAST STARTER: Pathan (right) has taken 114 international one-day scalps since 2003, but has slumped in form of late