'India consistent losers since WC'
On the first anniversary of India's second World Cup victory, former Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram said the champions haven't been able to live up to their status.
On the first anniversary of India's second World Cup victory, former Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram said the champions haven't been able to live up to their status. "They have been consistent in losing," said Akram when asked to evaluate India's performance in the one year after their World Cup win.
He also lambasted India's bowling on the tour of Australia and said the selectors don't have the vision to pick different teams for different conditions.
"Be it Ishant Sharma or Vinay Kumar (who debuted in the series) everyone was ordinary in that series. There was a lot of help for fast bowlers but none of them looked to capitalise on it," said Akram, the bowling consultant of Kolkata Knight Riders, on Monday.
"Fitness too was a problem. I feel the selectors have a one-track mind. They should pick different teams for different conditions. Instead, it was the same team everywhere," he said.
He also questioned the decision of removing Gautam Gambhir as vice-captain before the Asia Cup in Bangladesh last month. Virat Kohli was named vice-captain for that series. "Captains are removed for failing. But this is the first time I hear that the vice-captain has been removed," said Akram.
He felt this is an ideal opportunity for Gambhir to settle a few scores. "If I were Gambhir, I would definitely have it on my mind. I would say 'since I was removed from the post of vice-captain, I need to prove something,'" said Akram.
"I also don't know why Yusuf Pathan was kept out of the India ODI team for almost a year. He is one of the most destructive batsmen in the world now and I'm sure he will do very well for KKR this season," he said.