Terming India’s performance since the heady days of World Cup cricket victory in 2011 as a “consistent year of losing”, former Pakistan speedster Wasim Akram Monday rapped the team selection and players’ fitness and questioned the removal of Gautam Gambhir as the vice captain.
“It has been a consistent year of losing for Indian cricket,” Akram quipped when a scribe asked his reaction on India’s poor showing since the World Cup final win in Mumbai on this day last year.
Akram minced no words in pointing out what he felt were the maladies affecting Indian cricket.
“As far as team selection is concerned, it was never up to the mark. Against Australia, pacers Vinay Kumar and Ishant Sharma looked very ordinary,” said Akram, now in the city as Indian Premier League franchisee Kolkata Knight Riders’ bowling coach.
Refering to coach Duncan Fletcher, he said: “A coach can devise a strategy, but it is upto the players to execute the plan on the ground. But that did not happen in India’s case”.
Akram was also aghast at Gambhir – KKR’s skipper – having to yield the vice captain’s slot to the young Virat Kohli.
“I never heard after a series loss, the vice captain is changed in a team. But that happened in Indian team. Why that happened only selectors can say. But had I been in Gamhir’s place I would have fought for my existence and proved the decision was wrong.”
–IANS–