Melbourne, Jan 29: Former Australian captain Steve Waugh has praised India's new find Down Under Ishant Sharma and said the Indian selectors must have a vision and should not judge players purely on statistics.

''India has something special in Ishant Sharma if managed correctly,'' Waugh was quoted as saying by Herald Sun. ''He will be India's best quick since Javagal Srinath and, like Mitchell Johnson, the selectors must have vision and not judge purely on statistics,'' he said. He added that the 19-year-old has the potential and temperament to become a world class bowler.

''This kid reminds me of a young McGrath in his attitude towards learning, trajectory of delivery, temperament and the rapid improvement he has shown,'' he claimed.

The 1999 World Cup winning captain, said not only Australia was looking for a replacement to Adam Gilchrist's vice-captaincy but even India should look for a candidate to replace Anil Kumble.

Waugh, who played 168 Tests, staked a strong claim for Adelaide's second innings centurion Virender Sehwag, saying the dashing opener has matured at the right time and emerged as a potential candidate for the post.

''He has the rare knack of altering the course of matches with individual brilliance and has a presence that commands respect in and around the team.

''India will be searching sooner rather than later for a replacement to Anil Kumble and an unlikely candidate has emerged during the last two Tests in Virender Sehwag,'' he suggested.

Sehwag received accolades for his match-saving innings at Adelaide from the 42-year-old Australian who said, ''He has batted with composure during the high-pressure segments of matches and virtually won the Sydney Test with three late wickets.

''His game-saving fourth innings in Adelaide revealed a cricketer who has finally realised that talent alone doesn't guarantee consistent results.''

UNI