Cricket legend Wasim Akram feels that India are missing Harbhajan Singh in Australia as off-spinner Ravi Chandran Ashwin is only good enough for sub-continental tracks.

By Joshua Nath

After a spirited show in the first Test in Melbourne, Indian bowlers disappointed in Sydney picking only four Australian wickets. Unhappy at India’s lackluster effort, former Pakistan skipper and ESPN-STAR Sports commentator Wasim Akram feels the visitors are missing the experience of Harbhajan.

“It was evident that India missed Harbhajan. On pitches with bounce and grass, the job of the spinner is to contain and not look for too much of turn. Let the batsman hit out over your head.

“At least try and lure them to hit you over the top. India needed someone experienced like Harbhajan, who knows how to stop the batsman from taking singles and maintains pressure from one end. The Australians were playing Ashwin with ease and changing strike without a problem," said Akram in an exclusive chat with Mobile ESPN from Sydney on Saturday.

Akram feels that young Ashwin has limitations since it is his first foreign tour and those were exposed at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

"In Australia, you will not get turning tracks. Even Australian spinner Nathan Lyon could not impress. So, what you will get here as a spinner is bounce. Ashwin hasn't learnt to bowl on wickets offering bounce. He knows how to extract turn from helpful surfaces back home,” said the former Pakistan skipper.

One of the positives to come out from Melbourne's 122-run loss was India’s ability to bowl out Australia twice. Akram is baffled by India’s showing in Sydney where Australia lost all of four wickets. Akram is disappointed to see Indian pacers struggle on a more helpful track at the SCG.

"You cannot get more helpful conditions anywhere in the world as the fast bowlers got in the first two Tests. Zaheer Khan was the only bowler who looked like taking a wicket. I think it’s a psychological barrier that they need to cross.

“Ishant Sharma was inconsistent but unlucky as well. His only decent spell was on third morning when he ruffled the well-set Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey for a brief time. Umesh Yadav is a young kid and he will go through these phases. He looked ordinary but the SCG mauling should be a learning curve for him," said the 45-year-old former speedster.

Akram is also critical of the role played by bowling coach, Eric Simons.

"It is the job of the bowling coach to help bowlers adjust to different pitches. After the debacle in England, one would have thought the bowlers would have learnt, but they have found the going tough. As a bowler, one needs to be ready to hit the deck hard in Australia. At the same time, it is so important to bowl maiden overs on-the-trot," said Akram, suggesting Simmons has to play his role to perfection if the Indian attack has to make a mark Down Under.