Sunil Gavaskar vs Wasim Akram: The Great Debate on Team India's Bowling Plight

Following India's crushing nine-wicket defeat to England, their second of the Tri-Series involving Australia, former cricket greats and keen observers of the game - Sunil Gavaskar and Wasim Akram - discussed and dissected India's approach to the Tri-Series and the possible bowling combination for the upcoming World Cup, starting from February 14. (3rd ODI Scorecard | Report | Highlights)

In a post-match chat, both Gavaskar and Akram laid out their contrasting views on the proceedings with another former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar playing 'devil's advocate.' (Also read: Dhoni blasts batsmen after loss against England)

Here's how the 'debate' between the former Indian batsmen and the erstwhile Pakistan speedster went:

On India's listless performance:

Sunil Gavaskar was a bit guarded in his criticism and said, "India should be worried but not too much. There is still a lot of experimentation going on. When it comes to the World Cup in February, MS Dhoni's team, the defending champions, will go in with a different frame of mind. They will be far more confident."

"Right now, it looks like the team is happy just to get some time in the middle, which is not a good thing. Winning is a habit, but so is losing," Gavaskar however observed.

Wasim Akram was far more forthcoming in his scrutiny of India's poor show. He said, "This was a below average performance from India. Nobody knew what was happening in the middle. This was a Tri-Series fixture, not a practice match."

Defending a paltry score of 153, Dhoni threw the new-ball to militry-medium pacer Stuart Binny, which baffled Akram to a great extent.

He said, "I was shocked when I saw Binny with the new ball after India scored just 153. The total was not defendable but it's a situation when you have to get your main bowlers in."

On Virat Kohli's batting position shuffle:

Despite scoring most of his runs while batting at No.3, Virat Kohli has moved himself down to the No. 4 position in the recent past. However, India's man of the moment has not had success in the two ODIs of the series so far.

Speaking on this shift, Gavaskar said,"I prefer him at No.3 because he has been so successful in that position. The thinking could be that he scored a few runs against Sri Lanka at home while batting at No. 4, hence he is continuing at that spot."

Akram, however, felt the batting position wasn't of any significance.

"I heard Sanjay Manjrekar and many others talk a lot about Kohli's batting position during commentary, but I feel it doesn't matter if he bats and no. 3 or 4. The ball was bouncing and the batsmen had no plan. Rayudu, batting at No. 3, played almost every shot possible at the start of his innings even when James Anderson and Steven Finn were generating a bit of extra bounce."

On World Cup combination for India:

Gavaskar has often been critical of India's current bowling attack for their inconsistency. Asked to name his combination for the World Cup, the former India skipper opted to go for utility players.

He said," I would take only two seam bowlers - Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami - mainly because Bhuvneshwar can bat a bit too. I will also take Stuart Binny as my third seamer and include two spinners."

Manjrekar asked Gavaskar why he didn't even consider Ishant Sharma, who has done well in Tests recently and Umesh Yadav, who bowled well sporadically vs Australia in the previous ODI.

Gavaskar explained, saying "Our current new ball bowlers will not be of any use if they don't get you a fifer or three to four wickets because they go for a lot of runs. I would much rather have a bowler who can bat a bit."

Gavaskar also stressed on the importance of fielding, saying," While naming my 15 for the World Cup, I had picked Mohit Sharma ahead of Ishant Sharma, mainly because Mohit is a better fielder."

Akram, speaking like a geniune fast bowler, differed in opinion gain.

"In Australia, you need a bit of pace. I know Umesh has often been expensive but he is also the one who will get you wickets. Bhuvneshwar Kumar can swing the ball but he is too slow, bowling at 120-125 kmph. At that pace, it is easy for batsmen to negotiate any amount of swing. It will be Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav for me."

While Akram and Gavaskar will continue to offer their highly-scrutinised analysis through the Tri-Series and during the World Cup, Dhoni & Co. will need to shrug off their poor form and regain winning momentum before their title defence of the showpiece event begins vs Pakistan on February 15.