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[Blwe_torch]

Call back Rahul Dravid for ODIs: Akram
PTI, Aug 25, 2010, 04.45pm IST

NEW DELHI: Senior batsman Rahul Dravid should be called back to India's ODI team as he still has lot to offer to the country in the 50-over format, feels former Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram.

"Dravid still has a lot to offer in ODIs. I believe that Dravid should be brought back into the (one-day) team. In the sub-continent, the current batsmen can do well, but on the overseas tours, India need a solid and experienced batsman like Dravid," Akram said.

Akram also was not happy with the current bowling line-up of the Indian team.

When asked about his reported comments that some of the India players were "softies and lazy", the former left-arm pacer said, "I was not talking about the whole team. I was only talking about the bowlers."

"Look at Munaf Patel, (S) Sreesanth, Irfan Pathan and RP Singh. They all were very promising in the beginning. They had everything a bowler needs. Now you look at them. They have waned, for reasons beyond me," Akram said.

The cricketer-turned-commentator also feels that a packed international schedule is taking toll on the players of the Indian team.

"There is a series between these two teams every two months. It is very natural that the Indian players have lost interest in the contests. I am sure the same is the case with the Sri Lankan cricketers," he said.

"Indian players are in the habit of playing in front of more or less 60,000 people and now they are playing amidst almost empty stands.

"Obviously, their performance will get affected. They are a top team in both Tests and ODIs and only too much cricket is their undoing at the moment," he added.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/top-stories/Call-back-Rahul-Dravid-for-ODIs-Akram/articleshow/6432846.cms

[cricinfo]

Call back Rahul Dravid for ODIs: Akram
PTI, Aug 25, 2010, 04.45pm IST

NEW DELHI: Senior batsman Rahul Dravid should be called back to India's ODI team as he still has lot to offer to the country in the 50-over format, feels former Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram.

"Dravid still has a lot to offer in ODIs. I believe that Dravid should be brought back into the (one-day) team. In the sub-continent, the current batsmen can do well, but on the overseas tours, India need a solid and experienced batsman like Dravid," Akram said.

Akram also was not happy with the current bowling line-up of the Indian team.

When asked about his reported comments that some of the India players were "softies and lazy", the former left-arm pacer said, "I was not talking about the whole team. I was only talking about the bowlers."

"Look at Munaf Patel, (S) Sreesanth, Irfan Pathan and RP Singh. They all were very promising in the beginning. They had everything a bowler needs. Now you look at them. They have waned, for reasons beyond me," Akram said.

The cricketer-turned-commentator also feels that a packed international schedule is taking toll on the players of the Indian team.

"There is a series between these two teams every two months. It is very natural that the Indian players have lost interest in the contests. I am sure the same is the case with the Sri Lankan cricketers," he said.

"Indian players are in the habit of playing in front of more or less 60,000 people and now they are playing amidst almost empty stands.

"Obviously, their performance will get affected. They are a top team in both Tests and ODIs and only too much cricket is their undoing at the moment," he added.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/top-stories/Call-back-Rahul-Dravid-for-ODIs-Akram/articleshow/6432846.cms

I guess Viru  really does not want RD to be in the ODI team 

[renjith12]

rahul dravid is a good standing batsman. but in the present time he is not form in one day international cricket....

[blewatt]

I'm not sure why Akram made such a comment, even in test matches Dravid is in poor form... How can he be brought for ODI team

Blewatt