Cricket News: Experts concerned about No.4 spot, Kohli optimistic

Team India suddenly finds itself in more than a spot of bother just ahead of the World Cup after losing the 5 match Odi series against Australia. India lost their first ODI series at home since 2015. In what was the final dress rehearsal for both teams, Australia will fly back home not only with the trophy but with a high dose of confidence ahead of the World Cup. India, on the other hand, made experiments and although had a 2-0 series lead, failed to win the series. Although a lot of cricket greats have shown concern about the recent performance of the team and a lot of questions still remain to be answered, Skipper Virat Kohli has claimed that the team was pretty sure about the playing XI except for one spot, and while he didn't divulge the spot he was speaking about, it is no secret that almost all the batsmen tried at the fourth spot have failed. Former India international Sanjay Manjrekar has slammed Vijay Shankar and raised concern for the team’s middle order. Manjerekar wrote in twitter after the 5th odi loss “Whoever gets picked in the end, India's middle order will be its Achilles heel in the World Cup 2019. Really disappointing with Pant and Shankar today (Wednesday)...what a great chance to show their ability. Shankar may have the big shots but he is no Pant, must learn to keep the strike rate up by hitting more along the ground just like his captain does." Also former all rounder Irfan Pathan took to twitter to express his concern over the middle order. He tweeted “Hopefully this loss won’t effect the confidence of the Indian team and by the time World Cup arrives team would have sorted middle order positions.Well done Australia for winning the series” However, former Australia opener Mathew Hayden said that for him, Rayudu was the man for the no 4.slot. He wrote “Rayudu is my man. I can't believe India is even questioning that. For so long, he has been so good. I don't know why they are questioning, maybe because you need to speak about something before the World Cup. I don't see Rahul taking that slot as much as I admire him. His time will come and if anything he is more of a stand-by opener for me as opposed to the number four slot".