India will have to bowl a lot better to win ODI series: Akram

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Pakistani bowling great Wasim Akram says India will have to bowl much better than what they managed in the Tests against England if they are to have any chance of winning the five-match one-day series starting Saturday.

Akram welcomed the inclusion of rookie pacer Varun Aaron in the squad but is baffled by the presence of Rudra Pratap Singh, who looked out of sorts in the fourth cricket Test at The Oval.

"India's bowlers will be under the scanner when the ODI series starts this weekend at Chester-Le-Street. India's Test humiliation was mainly due to an inadequate bowling attack and if it continues in the same vein, Dhoni's team will be in big trouble," Akram wrote in ESPNSTAR.com.

"I wonder what is RP Singh doing in the ODI squad? He was totally off-colour in The Oval Test match and it will be a miracle if he can do something special in the ODIs. It was good decision to include young Jamshedpur quickie, Varun Aaron, because India need a fresh pair of legs in both batting and bowling."

Akram said the role of spinners will be crucial and leg-spinner Amit Mishra will have to raise his game.

"Much will depend on the spinners and Amit Mishra has to realise that his main job will be to pick wickets. I was disappointed with Mishra's bowling in the Test matches and Dhoni may not be inclined to play him. Mishra has a lot to learn."

Akram sees the series as a great opportunity for the young Indian batsmen.

"The ODI series will be a test of character for India's young batsmen. The sooner they learn to accept responsibility, the better it is for India. India's Generation-Next must make a start in England because the golden generation of Indian middle-order batting is drawing to a close. Tendulkar, Dravid and Laxman are all above 35 and they will eventually retire in a couple of years."

"Can the Kohlis, Rainas and Rohit Sharmas make themselves count? This is the time to stand up and deliver because England are on a high and will come really hard at the world champions."