Perth, Jan 12: Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram said he would chose experience over youth in the do-or-die third Test for India, starting on Friday as he feels youngsters would not be able to make huge difference in the performance of the team straight away.

“Batting well will remain crucial and the Indians know what they will expect on a Perth pitch that will aid pace and bounce. At a time when a few pundits have suggested India must blood younger players and rest veterans like a VVS Laxman, I would still go with experience,” Akram said on Thursday.

“While I am aware of his potential, I can’t see the inclusion of a Rohit Sharma will make a massive difference in the performance straight away. But while advising against too many changes for Perth, Indian selectors now have a problem to address. Laxman, Rahul Dravid and Tendulkar cannot be serving Indian cricket for ever.

“Where do they want to see India’s Test team one year from now? I can’t see too many answers. India still don’t have anyone to replace Tendulkar. Dravid’s runs are hard to ignore and Laxman has a lot of experience to back himself. Potential and promise is one thing. Translating these into holistic performance is another. The failure of Virat Kohli in MCG and Sydney is a classic case,” he added.

The former fast bowler said that the team would once again bank heavily on Sachin Tendulkar as he has been the only one to have come good with the bat in this series so far.

“Sachin Tendulkar will have to play the leading role at WACA. He is the only one who has looked good in the series so far and Tendulkar will have happy memories of scoring a century in 1991-92,” Akram said.

“Perth will be India’s last chance to salvage pride. With so much of experience in their kitty, it would be foolish to write the Indians off.”

“Records favour Australia at WACA, but India emerged victorious by 72 runs the last time (2007-2008) the two countries met at Perth. If India can score in excess of 350 runs in the first innings, the Perth Test will not be a one-sided affair. Thus, India have to set targets and take the game session by session,” Akram said.

Akram said although he would like to believe the reports of a rift in the Indian dressing room is baseless, such murmurs are natural when a team is losing matches.

“I have been very critical of India’s body language in the first two Tests in Melbourne and Sydney. Murmurs of rift in the Indian camp are all but natural when a team loses back-to-back Test matches in a humiliating manner.

“Having been in similar situations many times in my career, I would like to believe reports in the Australian media about a divided Indian dressing room are baseless. I understand Rahul Dravid has said “all is well” in the Indian camp. If this is so, let the players prove the detractors wrong with some solid cricket in the Perth Test,” he insisted.

The 45-year-old pointed out that there is hardly any margin for error now for the Indians in the third Test.

“Perth Test will be a watershed for Indian Test. A discerning cricket fan understands the value of winning matches overseas. It’s no point being kings at home. Thus, India have to forget the first two Tests and begin afresh at WACA.

“The margin for error has reduced considerably and I only hope at least two among Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Laxman, Dravid and Tendulkar does a Ricky Ponting or Mike Hussey. Both Punter and Hussey have justified the faith in them. The top Indian batsmen have to take a leaf out of their books,” Akram emphasised.

Courtesy: THAT’S CRICKET.COM

Wasim Akram and his fellow commentator Alan Willkins in Australia, 2012.

The ghost of India’s horrendous England tour last summer is haunting MS Dhoni and Co. in Australia, feels former Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram.

His pre-series premonition of India conceding a 2-0 lead to Australia has already come true. If Dhoni and his men do not improve their body language on the field and see the Australians in the eye, Wasim Akram won’t be surprised if Australia clinch the next two Tests in Perth and Adelaide and win 4-0.

According to Akram, only winning at home does not make any side the No. 1 team in the world. India’s reputation had taken a beating in England and the signs are not encouraging in Australia, either.

“Winning matters, but to win overseas is the real thing. India does well in their backyard but are found wanting when they play on foreign pitches. When I was playing, Pakistan had won in New Zealand, Australia, West Indies and England and that made us a top side,” said Akram in a chat with espnstar.com from Sydney.

The innings defeat at Sydney was India’s sixth successive Test loss, overseas. The consistency in such poor performance is clearly alarming. Akram says there is something seriously wrong in planning and execution.

“India are seriously looking out of sorts. There seems to be no planning in the team. Players are just looking like individuals and not gelling as a unit. This is surprising considering the fact that almost the same team were world No. 1 just a few months back,” observed Akram.

Akram, like several former players, feel India’s inability to match Australia’s aggression has been disappointing. Analysing India’s innings defeat at the SCG, Akram said: “India lost the plot on the second day itself. It was disheartening to see the fielders lose hope as the Aussie batsmen piled on the runs. The lack of coordination between players made me feel that India are going to field for another two days. The seniors were not talking with their young bowlers. It was only Sachin Tendulkar whom I saw chatting with Ishant Sharma. Such body language was very unlike Dhoni and company.”

“Australia were three down for 37 on Day 2 and it was the opportune time for India to strike hard. But as soon as Ponting and Clarke took control, the complexion of the Indian attack changed for the worse in just six or seven overs. The shoulders drooped and the fielding became dull. So the overall body language was very negative,” felt Akram.

Courtesy: ESPN STAR

Former Pakistani captain and legendary pacer, Wasim Akram, has advised Team India to be confident of their skills which are equivalent to those of Australia and turn up hard against the opponents in the 2nd Test of the ongoing 4-match series.

Akram claims that the Men in Blue have the potential to pay back the Aussies with the same coin, provided they stick to their game instead of feeling gloomy after the first defeat. He further said that the Indian squad has experienced and talented players who can fight for their life if need be, provided they are up for it.

The ex-speedster is not ready to admit that India’s pace attack is weaker than that of Australia, arguing that the Blue bowlers like Zaheer Khan and Umesh Yadav are capable enough to give a tough time to the Oz batters.

In his column for Espnstar, the pace king wrote, “India have the experience and the talent to counter Australia and I am not willing to write Dhoni and his team off going into the Sydney Test. The Sydney wicket will definitely seam and swing in the first two days. India must be prepared for this and believe their pace attack is equally promising. India must fight fire by fire and they have the arsenal.”

Akram has urged the Indian skipper, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, to perk up his captaincy techniques and lead the side by example, averring that the captain possesses immense intelligence, but he needs to work on his batting skills.

The legend went on to write, “While Dhoni must sharpen his captaincy skills, I would like to see a proactive skipper who leads by example.”
The best left-arm pacer of all times, who was present in the commentary box during the first Test match at Melbourne Cricket Ground, has expressed deep disappointment on the poor batting performances by Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli, provoking the duo not to repeat it in the second match that is scheduled to start from January 3 at Sydney Cricket Ground.

Wasim ruled the world of cricket with his matchless bowling action for at least 18 years, grabbing 414 Test and 502 ODI wickets. He equally contributed with the bat too.

Courtesy: BETTER.COM