England's defeat in the opening Test against India has sparked debate about the balance of their team and make-up of the bowling attack.
Was that the emergence of a 'new' Panesar? Evidence that he had developed an ability to outwit batsmen at the top level and was no longer as reliant on conditions?
Was it the the fruits, perhaps, from his switch of counties from Northamptonshire to Sussex after losing his England place to Swann on the West Indies tour in 2009? Or did it say more about the ability of Pakistan's batsmen against spin?
Alternatives
The alternative to Panesar is to again go with three seamers plus Swann, although it will almost certainly be a different combination to James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Tim Bresnan.
Steven Finn is still out injured but the uncapped Stuart Meaker offers an injection of pace. Graham Onions will also be considered given the coastal location of the Wankhede Stadium, which means swing is more likely there than at many venues in India.
There is also the option of playing both spinners alongside three seamers but, with Ian Bell away on paternity leave, that would put the top-order batting under even more pressure.
The question for Andy Flower and Alastair Cook is which combination offers the best chance to take 20 wickets and it is not an easy one to answer.
Picking Panesar in Ahmedabad would have left England's management less open to criticism if it went wrong, it was the easier choice but would have ignored recent history.
England have not been successful in India since 1984-85 regardless of how many spinners they have picked. The touring teams who have done well recently, Australia and South Africa, have relied on fast bowling.
With another slow, low pitch in prospect at the Wankhede Stadium, it will be interesting to see what difference a week makes to England's selection.
