Despite India having a nightmarish English summer so far with 0-4
pounding in the Test series and also losing the one-off Twenty20 game
against England, former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram feels the
five-match ODI series between India and England is going to be a close affair.
 Akram admitted that the Indians, without their key players, are the favourites only on paper. © AFP |
"It's going to be a close ODI series for sure and this time, I am not
sure how India are going to play! I will make a comment on India only
after the first ODI," said Akram.
"I am keen to see their body language and how well they take the
raging bull by the horns. Needless to say, India's body language in the
Test series was abysmal and they never looked in command. I am sure,
they will look a different lot in the ODIs. The current squad looks a
better ODI unit," he added.
Akram, however, admitted that the Indians, without their key players, are the favourites only on paper.
"It's misleading to call the ODI series starting tomorrow a match-up
between the ODI world champions and the world T20 winners. Without
half-a-dozen main players that helped India clinch the World Cup earlier
this year, MS Dhoni's squad are favourites, but only on paper," Akram
wrote in his column.
Stating that there are only two players - Rohit Sharma and
off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who he was keen to follow during the
one-dayers, the former cricketer said, "Rohit is immensely talented. He
has got plenty of opportunities in the past and he seems to be in good
form as well. It's time he lives up to his promise and take advantage of
the chance given to him."
"Ashwin is a very good ODI and T20 bowler. His variations make him a
very difficult prospect. He has a very good carom ball. Since most
English batsmen haven't played against him, Ashwin will be the 'mystery'
element and Dhoni should use him judiciously."
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