World Cup | Sanjay Manjrekar picks Vijay Shankar, Kedar Jadhav at no. 4 and 5 respectively

India, in the recent past, have tried out various options for the middle order with players such as Dinesh Karthik, KL Rahul, Ambati Rayudu, Rishabh Pant, and many more. However, none of them has been able to rightfully justify their position in the line-up. It is expected that the middle-order might be India’s Achilles heel in the upcoming World Cup. Vijay Shankar, who was drafted in to temporarily replace injured Hardik Pandya, has made decent contributions to the side. Whereas, Kedar Jadhav has shown some promise, and also doubles up as a spin option for the captain.

"That India still don't have obvious and exciting Nos. 4 and 5, like Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina when they were around, is more the fault of players who have been given these chances than those who gave it to them," Sanjay Manjrekar wrote on his column for ESPNCricinfo.

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

The former cricketer turned commentator also had a handful of words for the other batsmen in the team who haven’t really been able to perform to the best of their abilities. Ambati Rayudu, who was widely expected to be slotted in as the number 4, has put his place in jeopardy after meagre returns against Australia at home. Manjrekar is of the belief that the 33-year-old would be an unsuitable option in the seaming conditions of England.

“The current issue with India’s likely World Cup team is that only the captain can bat as per the needs of the situation. Rohit tries but isn’t as successful; Shikhar plays more for survival than trying to lead the team to a win with the bat; and Dhoni has an approach that keeps us all on the edge of our seats,” said the 53-year-old.

“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.”

Speaking about Jadhav, Manjrekar explained, “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.”