Akram fears another 0-4 drubbing for India

Sydney, Jan 9 (IANS) Former Pakistan captain and fast bowling legend Wasim Akram fears India will suffer another whitewash against Australia after their horrendous English summer when they not only failed to win a single match but were also dethroned from the No. One Test spot.

India are trailing 0-2 in the four-match Border-Gavasakar Trophy series after suffering massive losses in Melbourne and Sydney. The innings defeat at Sydney was India's sixth successive Test loss.

'Winning matters, but to win overseas is the real thing. India does well in their backyard but are found wanting when they play on foreign pitches. When I was playing, Pakistan had won in New Zealand, Australia, West Indies and England and that made us a top side,' Akram was quoted as saying by espnstar.com.

Akram feels there is something seriously wrong in India's planning and execution.

'India are seriously looking out of sorts. There seems to be no planning in the team. Players are just looking like individuals and not gelling as a unit. This is surprising, considering the fact that almost the same team were world No. 1 just a few months back,' he said.

Referring to India's humiliating loss in Sydney, Akram said: 'India lost the plot on the second day itself. It was disheartening to see the fielders lose hope as the Aussie batsmen piled on the runs. The lack of coordination between players made me feel that India are going to field for another two days.'

'The seniors were not talking with their young bowlers. It was only Sachin Tendulkar whom I saw chatting with Ishant Sharma. Such body language was very unlike Dhoni and company.'

Akram said India failed to capitalise the opportunity when Australia were reduced to three for 37 in the first innings.

'Australia were three down for 37 on Day 2 and it was the opportune time for India to strike hard. But as soon as Ponting and Clarke took control, the complexion of the Indian attack changed for the worse in just six or seven overs. The shoulders drooped and the fielding became dull. So, the overall body language was very negative,' he said.