Former opener Mark Waugh believes that Usman Khawaja was punished for a poor showing in Australia's last Test, against New Zealand in Hobart.
Khawaja and Phillip Hughes were left out as Shaun Marsh and the uncapped Ed Cowan were included in the 13-man squad for the first Test against India.
Khawaja responded to his axing with an unbeaten 56 in the tour match against the Indians in Canberra.
Khawaja's axing was somewhat of a shock after he showed promising signs in his six Tests to date.
Waugh said while he had been impressed by Khawaja, one half-century from 11 Test innings wasn't quite enough to demand selection for the series against India.
"I actually feel a bit sorry for Khawaja because he's actually looked pretty good, apart from last Test," Waugh told foxsports.com.au.
"Every other innings before that he's looked like a very capable player and I think he's a very good player. Having said that he just hasn't made the scores as yet. He didn't really take the opportunity by the scruff of the neck.
"So I feel sorry for him, but you've got to make the most of his opportunities and he hasn't done that. He's got a great future, there's no doubt about that. He'll be back bigger and better pretty shortly," he said.
Waugh believes the decision to dump Khawaja and retain Ponting and Hussey for such a crucial series came down to experience.
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