New Delhi: Showering accolades on Mahendra Singh Dhoni for his 'incredible' leadership skills, Pakistani legend Wasim Akram today said India's young guns have the mettle to test Australia's supremacy in world cricket.

''India have proved that their one-day side is consistent. Now they can challenge Australia," Akram told ESPN in an interview.

The former Pakistani captain said he was impressed with India's youth brigade as they have proved their selection time and again with Sri Lanka being their latest victim as they inflicted a 3-2 loss over Mahela Jayawerdene's side.

''Despite the loss of some of their key players like Virender Sehwag, the team has won the series. India have started to believe in themselves and in their ability and consistency. They can win matches without some of the big names,'' he said.

Akram also appreciated the performance of Badrinath and Kohli, who have also performed under pressure. ''The young team has a bright future,'' he remarked.

The left-arm pacer was all praise for Indian skipper and descibed him as an incredible leader. ''The wicketkeeper-batsman had been an incredible leader.''

''They have been playing cricket continuously for the last one year and there haven't been too many injuries. With this series win, India have again proved that their one-day side is consistent and the credit for that goes to the captain,'' he noted.

Commenting on Lankan sensation Ajantha Mendis, he said the spinner was definitely to watch out for in future.

''If Indian batsmen could not read him through the full series then he is definitely going to trouble other teams more,'' he added.

Agencies

Tags: akram, dhoni, australia, world cricket, jayawerdene, mendis.