India's bowling attack can trouble Australia's batters in England, but I'm slightly worried about the batting: Sanjay Manjrekar

Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has expressed his concerns over team India's batting ahead of the upcoming 2023 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia at The Oval in London beginning on June 7. This will be India's second straight WTC final, as they suffered a defeat against the Black Caps in the previous edition in 2021.

Manjrekar said that he saw quality in the bowling lineup in India’s one-off Test squad, but the batting will be a real issue. According to the cricketer-turned-commentator, the Indian bowling attack would be able to challenge the Australian batters in the summit clash.

"When I see this squad, I see the quality in bowling. India's problem will only be their batting. I feel this is a bowling attack that can trouble Australia's batters in England. I am slightly worried about the batting," Manjrekar said during a discussion on the Star Sports show 'Game Plan.'

While pointing out the playing conditions in England, the 57-year-old added that skipper Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara are the reliable players in the squad to perform well with the bat. He added that barring both of them there are question marks over the form of the other Indian batters.

"If you see the top six and their current form and imagine that they are playing in England, who gives you the confidence - Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara is once again reliable player. Barring these two, there is a slight question mark on the others based on their form," he added.

Have tremendous faith in the quality of Indian bowling: Manjrekar

Manjrekar went on to say that India's bowling can help them make a comeback in the marquee event, stating that comebacks can happen in Test matches. The 57-year-old added that while Australia is the stronger side, to begin with, he is confident in the quality of Indian bowling. 

"Bowling can probably bring India back into the game. You said there is one Test match, so there are fewer chances of making a comeback, but Test match cricket is such that if you don't play well in the first two days and you improve your game later, a comeback can happen. 

"Australia start off as the stronger side to begin with, but I have tremendous faith in the quality of Indian bowling and they could upset the applecart," the former cricketer further said.