India might have sailed into the cricket World Cup quarterfinals with five straight wins but former chief selector Kiran More today said the team's middle-order batting is an area that still requires improvement.
More felt the side needed to iron out weak links in the middle-order batting before the mega event's knock-out stage kicks off.
"I feel the middle-order has to bat well. Get more partnerships. We have been getting partnerships from the top three, so the middle order also has to get partnerships. They just can't throw away the wickets because a lot of pressure comes on the lower order batsmen. That is what we saw against West Indies in a couple of matches ago. That is the concern area," More said.
The former India stumper felt associate members should get more opportunities to play against the top sides to improve their game and make the sport more global.
"A lot of the top teams don't play the minnows. I feel India should travel to Ireland or the other top teams like South Africa should play against them, that is how we will develop cricket," More said at the book launch of 'World Cup Heroes' written by journalist Chandresh Narayanan.
He added, "Otherwise 12 countries play and we say we are playing a World Cup. That is why I rate Saina Nehwal's performance greater than any of the cricketer's performance. 160 countries play Badminton and to be in the top two of the world is a great achievement.
"We should help these minnows. Ireland Scotland, UAE they should get more matches."
The former India stumper hoped Ireland would get Test status for their impressive performances over the years.
"I think Ireland will get it. They have been doing very well," he said.
More said India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been his hero for leading the side from the front.
"I feel the captain is playing a bigger role. He is the main hero for us and the way he has carried our team (after the tri-series debacle). Of course Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan have been outstanding.
"One surprise package who has come through is Shami. He has been a solid hero for us. He has played a bigger role because he is getting early wickets. Dhoni has been leading from the front and for me he is the number one hero," he said.
"A lot of people were talking about Shikhar Dhawan should not be part of the Indian team in World Cup. I think that is why my hero is Dhoni. He trusted him. That is what is the bast part of Dhoni. He trusts players and he believes in them that these guys are going to deliver it," he added.
