Wasim Akram questions timing of India's ODI series against Australia: 'Bit unnecessary'

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram is not impressed with India’s plans to play Australia in a three-match ODI series ahead of the World Cup 2023. India and Australia will be playing three ODIs on September 24 (Mohali), 28 (Indore) and October 1 (Rajkot). Asia Cup: Siraj delivers performance of a lifetime as India lift eighth title While the upcoming series is expected to provide India with an added opportunity to prepare for the World Cup, there’s also fear of injuries. India are currently struggling with the fitness of a lot of players. Shreyas Iyer who returned to action in Asia Cup after a back surgery could only play two matches due to back spasms. Axar Patel suffered a strain in the left quadriceps during the Super 4 game against Bangladesh and missed the Asia Cup final which India won by 10 wickets against Sri Lanka. India captain Rohit Sharma has said that Axar could miss the first two ODIs against Australia while Iyer is close to returning to action. Stats: Siraj surpasses Waqar’s feat; SL register lowest ODI total vs IND Akram feels that travel during the Australia ODI series could go against India as players may get tired ahead of the World Cup. “There are different venues and traveling in India… it takes a day (between every match). You need to preserve energy before the World Cup. I don’t know why they are playing three ODIs. It is probably done a long time ago, but it was a bit unnecessary. You don’t want to be tired before a mega-tournament where you are favourites at home. If you want some more players in the squad, you can play those in the three ODIs against Australia,” Akram said on Star Sports. India’s victory in the Asia Cup 2023 final helped the Men in Blue break their multi-national trophy drought. The last time India won a multi-national trophy was in Asia Cup 2018.