Young Indian players are spoilt: Akram

[mastana]

Young Indian players are spoilt: Akram

MUMBAI: The Indian cricketers should make most of the "excessive" cricket rather than complain about it, feels former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram. "It's a boon, not a punishment," he asserts. On a short visit to India, Akram in a free wheeling talk with the TOI on Sunday termed the young and upcoming Indian players as "softies" and "spoilt" for their lack of enthusiasm and energy. "In the 90s there used to be 10-12 Tests annually. I guess it's the same now. We also played 30-35 ODIs. There were no T20s or IPL then, but we played county cricket for a month each year. Today, there are so many opportunities and so much money that the players don't seem to care. "The dream to represent the country for long doesn't seem to exist. Look at some of the young Indian bowlers. They breakdown every now and then. Last year, when I was involved with the IPL (Akram was bowling consultant for the Kolkata Knight Riders), I realised that the bowlers were happy bowling just 3-4 overs in the nets. I was amazed. Softies is the word to describe them. They are also spoilt and don't believe in working hard," said the 44-year-old. Akram was also unhappy with young Indian batsmen Rohit Sharma and Robin Uthappa. "They are so talented but where are they heading? Rohit has so much class, but when will he make an impact? It doesn't matter at what number you bat. At this age, he should show the world your worth. Uthappa too hasn't done himself any justice." Akram, who would be commentating at the Champions League T20 in South Africa, rues the fact that his nation won't be represented. "We were the ICC World T20 champions, but they haven't invited Pakistan. I wish our domestic T20 champs, Sialkot Stallions, were there. Our players are getting a raw deal, but it's not their fault," he said. The bowling great feels that CL 2010 could act as a stepping stone for youngsters ahead of the 2011 World Cup. He, however adds that only those with good technique will excel. "South African conditions will assist pace. If you are in Durban (the base for Mumbai Indians), the ball will seam and swing, more so if you are playing under lights. Only batsmen with good technique or experience will come good. Maybe a Kieron Pollard will do well because he hits straight. Those suspect against short-pitched and pacy stuff will struggle," said Akram. He picked out Dale Steyn of Royal Challengers as the biggest threat. "Steyn knows the conditions and he steams in every ball which very few bowlers do today. He will be unplayable in South Africa. Dirk Nannes and Shaun Tait will also be tough to negotiate." Akram reckons the three Indian teams in the fray (Chennai Super Kings , RCB and MI) are all well balanced. "Most players in those teams have international experience, but I want MI to do well only because of Sachin Tendulkar. "I idolise him and he's also doing exceptionally well as a captain. They also have a lot of youngsters and have two South Africans in JP Duminy and Ryan McLaren. That's an advantage. "Having said that, RCB have loads of depth and a fierce competitor in Anil Kumble at the helm. They also have Jacques Kallis, Ross Taylor, Uthappa and Cameron White. The team whose batting clicks will win the competition," he stressed. His best bet is still on young bowlers with pace and aggression. "The Champions League is staged for a short duration. It is quick and sizzling. High octane, I'd say. So the young Indian bowlers would do well to make the most of it." While lamenting the lack of passion among current youngsters, Akram gave an example to emphasize it. "When I was young, I once bowled Mohammad Azharuddin at Nagpur. I still have those broken bails as souvenir. I hope the cricketers of today show us some of that passion." Over 900 international wickets stand testimony to all that.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/top-stories/Young-Indian-players-are-spoilt-Akram/articleshow/6423175.cms

[suraj]

He is right But the fact is that the Uthapas and the Rohit Sharmas don't care

[vamos_rafa]

Absolutely spot on assessment by wasim bhai.... Part of the problems is our so called young brigade does not seem to care about where they are heading to.... and the story about keeping the broken bails is an intersting one... i dont think today's youngsters have that kinda passion in them.... the only kind of passion they show is to swear on the field or to show useless unwanted attitude/aggression...

[Acim]

He is right, and Rafa you make a good point about unwanted attitude and aggression.

[Hell Raiser]

He is right. Our players are more interested in playing these t-20 matches. Test cricket should be their ultimate dream, but all this big money is spoiling them, and seems like they don't give much value to the indian cap, which is really disappointing. Most of these young players say that someone like Sachin, kumble or Dravid is their Idol. Just By making these icon as their idol isn't going to get them anywhere, they should also try to see their attitude and commitment towards the game.Hopefully they can become better players in future.

[ensd2]

Look at JADEJA : in next ILP auction he is gonna get minimum 500000$/year , once he gets his contract why will he works hard ??? ( Ishant Sharma )

[Steyn]

And why would they want to take those ****ing bails as souvenier when they already can afford golden bails.

[achilles]

Words like these should be taken as steps of guidance and mentoring. Look at Irfan, RP, Sreesanth and the pack. These SUPERB cricketers are practically throwing every bit of talent they have out of the window. Our players need to learn that there is a life beyond a sweet IPL contract. They should always remember the kind of situation they were in beyond getting picked for India, their upbring, their roots and then, we shall more players like Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Anil Kumble and Sachin Tendulkar.

[Fontaine]

Raina is the one guy who shows a real passion and dedication. It's no wonder that he's done so well. Praveen Kumar is also another guy who always looks fit and gives maximum effort. The others just seem more flash than substance.

[imran666]

wasim is right ..players need to put theere country first ...look at afridi he still has that have eaten ball as a souvenir:haha:

[Karan114]

Most of these young players say that someone like Sachin' date=' kumble or Dravid is their Idol. Just By making these icon as their idol isn't going to get them anywhere, they should also try to see their attitude and commitment towards the game.[/quote']

They should always remember the kind of situation they were in beyond getting picked for India' date=' their upbring, their roots and then, we shall more players like Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Anil Kumble and Sachin Tendulkar.[/quote'] Completely agree. As Fontaine says, Raina is the one guy whose commitment and attitude is excellent. I just despair looking at most of the other youngsters :((

[vamos_rafa]

Rohit sharma is one complete disaster. The kind of attitude that he displays onfield is nothing but pathetic. He used to be a livewire on the field when he made his debut but now the only thing that he has to flaunt is a family pack size tummy.

[saneindian]

Part of the blame also lies with the team management. Dhoni and Kirsten have been far too lax with these youngsters. Yes that has helped create a good dressing room culture, but that should not stop them from being tough task masters with some of these youngsters.

[SachDan]

CricInfo

Wasim Akram reportedly called some of the Indian youngsters 'softies', a charge Dhoni denied. "They have done really well in adverse and difficult conditions. Whether it's in Australia or the T20 World Cup or some of the other tournaments where we were not at our best," Dhoni said. "I think the guys are courageous enough to go through any conditions or situations thrown at them. We are just on the backfoot right now, with the conditions maybe. But these are the boys who will ultimately be part of the Indian cricket team now or sometime later."

[Fontaine]

Part of the blame also lies with the team management. Dhoni and Kirsten have been far too lax with these youngsters. Yes that has helped create a good dressing room culture' date=' but that should not stop them from being tough task masters with some of these youngsters.[/quote'] What? Kirsten constantly talks about fitness and only recently slammed some of the team players by saying that he was more fit than they were. The management can only do so much, it's up to the players to take their commitment more seriously from fitness to bowling/batting practice. I'm not sure who Wasim was referring to when talking about bowlers who didn't want to practice more than a few overs in the nets but if it's true then it's ****ing shameful. That's why players like Sreesanth are such poison in the team. When a guy like Sreesanth shows up in the team without having a proven track record of performance then it sends the completely wrong message to younger bowlers. He's got a rock star lifestyle from interviews, bollywood, dance shows and public appearences with none of the results on the pitch to back it up. It's clowns like Sreesanth/Bhajji that set a bad example that should be shunned from the spot light and players like Praveen Kumar and Zaheer who constantly work hard and sweat blood for the team that should be looked as bowling role models.

[achilles]

Now, Team India will win the next game and try to pwn Wasim. But that won't change the fact that our boys do take it lightly once they enter the big league.

[SachinIndia10]

May be Akram shud take a good look at his Pakistan team which hasnt won a odi series since 2008 hasnt won a test series since 2006 India only lost two matches in tri series already experts are taking dig at India.

[imran666]

May be Akram shud take a good look at his Pakistan team which hasnt won a odi series since 2008 hasnt won a test series since 2006 India only lost two matches in tri series already experts are taking dig at India.

hes not compairing india vs pakistan ..hes just stating the fact about some indian players who have what it takes to become greats but they r not doing justice to there talent ..and i dont think an honest opnion should be taken as a insult

[mastana]

May be Akram shud take a good look at his Pakistan team which hasnt won a odi series since 2008 hasnt won a test series since 2006 India only lost two matches in tri series already experts are taking dig at India.

He is spot on. No need to take a dig at Akram.

[Karan114]

May be Akram shud take a good look at his Pakistan team which hasnt won a odi series since 2008 hasnt won a test series since 2006 India only lost two matches in tri series already experts are taking dig at India.

Oh bhai, kitne baar ICF pe register ho ke wohi ki wohi baat "Pak hasn't won Test series since 2006, ODI series since 2008" post karega :wall: