Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram said he saw no logic in resting Ishant Sharma for the five match ODI series in Sri Lanka.

Speaking to Mobile ESPN, the former all rounder said: "I don't understand why Ishant has been dropped.

He is not 25 or 26 years of age and it is not that he has been playing for the last two or three years."

"Ishant has only started playing for India. I am sure if you ask him. he would be more than keen to play. He is a young bowler, all charged up to play for his country."

"This is how you soften fast bolwers. This is my opinion. Let them play."

Ishant, who has had a wonderful year ever since he burst into the limelight Down Under, making Australian captain Ricky Ponting his bunny has been in top form in Sri Lanka. On pitches that hardly assist fast bowling, Ishant has got the ball to bounce and move away. He has been replaced by Munaf Patel for the five match ODI series in Sri Lanka.

Akram said Ishant would be definitely missed in Sri Lanka as he is a matchwinner: "Ishant is a matchwinner. He would surely be missed. Munaf might do the trick but he is only a talented bowler and not a matchwinner like Ishant."

Sachin Tendulkar is also back in the ODI squad after a long injury lay off, which saw him missing out on the Kitply Cup and the STAR Cricket Asia Cup. His comeback also means India now have three specialist openers in the final playing XI.

However, Akram opined Tendulkar must open the innings: "Tendulkar has to open. His comeback would also add a lot of experience to the team. That is the only position he can bat at in 50 Overs cricket. He has been opening for the last 10-12 years and doing it rather successfully."

The highest wicket taker in ODI's was also happy with the return of Harbhajan Singh, who served a five match ban for slapping S Sreesanth after an IPL match, in the ODI team: "Harbhajan is in great form. His return would add a lot of balance to the bowling attack. I have always believed it was wrong to ban him after he was fined."

The former sultan of swing was also excited to see India's u-19 skipper Virat Kohli, who was in sublime form during the recently concluded Emerging Players' Tournament in Australia, in the team: "Kohli did very well in the IPL. He is a very good fielder. I see him as the future for India."

"Then MS Dhoni is also back in the team as captain, which is good for the side. Parthiv Patel has also been asked to stay back for the ODI's in Sri Lanka. He did okay as a batsman in the IPL but has improved his wicketkeeping skills."

Akram empathised with middle order batsman Robin Uthappa, who was dropped after a run of poor shows in the recent ODI tournaments: "Yes, the poor fellow has been out of form and he had to be dropped."

Overall, the cricketer-turned-commentator said India had pretty balanced sides for the Sri Lanka series as well as the Champions Trophy.

"India are going in with pretty well balanced sides. The spin attack would be good and Pragyan Ojha would be an idle foil for Harbhajan. Kohli's presence in the team would lift the fielding."

Akram said the Indian ODI team has been pretty good for the last two or three years and he expects India to keep the good show going.