Manjrekar told TOI here on the sidelines of the fourth ODI against Australia, “Vijay Shankar is my number 4 for his ability to hit sixes as well as rotate the strike. Play him as a batsman. As a bowler, he’s worth only three-odd bonus overs, not seven or the full quota of 10.”
Asked if he’d consider Ambati Rayudu also in the race, Manjrekar said: “After his 90 against New Zealand in Wellington, I was sure he had cemented his spot. But three low scores and the rise of Vijay Shankar thereafter have put his place in question.”
What if Kohli came in at No. 4 in the World Cup, Manjrekar said: “He must bat at No. 3. There is no point in demoting our best batsman, who has set the winning culture in this team.”
Use Dhoni as a floater
Another thing left to sort is the batting position of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. “Use him as a floater,” suggests Manjrekar. “Juggle his batting position based on the situation. Dhoni’s hitting form is very crucial, if India want to go all the way in the World Cup. His place in the side is unchallenged. He doesn’t get out easily and there is no question about his wicketkeeping skills. He has played a pivotal role in the rise of two wrist spinners (Yadav and Chahal). India need Dhoni’s calmness in the World Cup.”
India have a soft belly
On the middle-order problems for Team India, the former cricketer said: “India are the best team in the World Cup but it doesn’t mean they are going to win it for sure. They are soft under the belly. The middle order isn’t in the league of Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, and Suresh Raina. It’s a weakness we are going to carry into the World Cup.”
Pick Shami over Bhuvi
Also, who will be the No. 2 pacer after Jasprit Bumrah? “On current form, I will go with Shami,” said Manjrekar. Manjrekar felt that India’s bowling attack was better than the victorious line-up of 2011. “Back then, we had a pretty average attack. Kudos to the way Dhoni used his bowling options. For the first time, India are going to any major championship with a better set of bowlers than batsmen.”
Manjrekar’s squad for World Cup: Dhawan, Sharma, Kohli, Shankar, Jadhav, Dhoni, H Pandya, Kuldeep, Shami, Chahal, Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar, Pant, Jadeja and Rahul.
Be the first to comment