New Delhi, Oct 22: Ravindra Jadeja might have shone in the ongoing ODI series against England but former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram feels it is too early to say whether India have actually found the elusive all-rounder to complete the side.
Although Jadeja has done well with both the bat and ball in the ongoing series which India leads 3-0, Akram feels Yusuf Pathan remains a strong contender for the all-rounder's slot.
“I feel Yusuf is a great player. It's strange that he is not in the Indian team. But with Jadeja doing so well it certainly puts pressure on the big-hitting Pathan. Yusuf is 28, while Jadeja is 22 and it's tough to choose between the two,” Akram said.
The left-handed Jadeja has played a couple of good knocks in the three ODIs against England. His 26 not out in Mohali on Thursday helped India take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.
Akram said the young Indian team has responded well in the absence of the ‘big' guns.
“India are not playing their full side, with Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh and Zaheer Khan missing from the squad, and still doing well. They have once again showed that beating them on their home turf is near to impossible. They have certainly comeback well after the drubbing they got in England,” said Akram.
England, who outplayed India at home, have been found wanting on Indian pitches. The same bowling that made life difficult for batsmen has looked pedestrian in all the three matches. Akram believes this was bound to happen.
“Bowling on a green top in overcast conditions is different from bowling on sub-continent tracks. And England could have prepared better for the Indian tour. Even with two new balls, the English bowlers looked ordinary and this shows they need to improve in ODIs,” said Akram.
