Sanjay Manjrekar names his number 4 and 5 batsman in Virat Kohli’s World Cup side

That Kohli’s side has not been able to pick a solid number 4 despite giving chances to as many as 11 players speaks volumes about the uncertainty over the position and this where Manjrekar believes lies the vulnerability.

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar is not very convinced with India’s middle order and believes that irrespective of the options India finally pick, they will head over to England with a soft underbelly.

File image of MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli (AFP)

That Kohli’s side has not been able to pick a solid number 4 despite giving chances to as many as 11 players speaks volumes about the uncertainty over the position and this where Manjrekar believes lies the vulnerability.

“My choice for Nos. 4 and 5 are Vijay and Jadhav respectively, but I must confess I pick them a bit grudgingly,” he wrote in his column for ESPNCricinfo.

He also believes that apart from Kohli, no one in the batting order can adapt and adjust to the situation which can be problematic for the side in crunch moments.

Ambati Rayudu received support from Kohli and Shastri and played a couple of good innings in Australia and New Zealand, but then his from slipped away in the home series against Australia. Manjrekar writes that he is not convinced with the right-hander when there is seam movement on offer.

“After a good score, the way Rayudu gets bowled off a ball that has moved off the seam ruins all the good work he had done until then. That’s why I remain unconvinced by him,” Manjrekar wrote.

According to the former right-hander, what works for Jadhav is his abilty to chip in with a few handy overs.

“Jadhav is a little better off here and his offspinners help him out. If India are 20 for 3, it’s hard to see him handling a spell of good seam bowling in England with composure, showing a good defence, ticking off singles whenever he can, building a partnership and then, in the last few overs, going for the big shots,” he added.