Amidst widespread criticism of India's move to play Hanuma Vihari ahead of Karun Nair, the team management has found support of their decision in the form of retired Indian batsman Sanjay Manjrekar. 

General public alright, the move when announced at the toss, attracted critical remark from a few popular and highly respected voices too. 

Aakash Chopra, who has played 10 Tests for India, termed the move as very unfair and not in line with the pecking order, over Twitter. 

"It’s quite intriguing that no one is talking about the possibility of playing Karun Nair...If India wants to play 6 batsmen, he should be the first choice. If bowling a little is the deal-breaker, it’s another matter... #EngvInd", wrote Aakash. 

Even one of India's greats, Harbhajan Singh, who is in England currently doing commentary for the ongoing series on Sky Sports, reacted to the development and said, "I am a bit surprised to see Hanuma Vihari play ahead of Karun Nair, who has been a part of the team from the first match itself and didn't get to play a game. Nair has been on the tour from the beginning, hasn't got a game, but the new guy comes into the team from the fourth Test and straightaway gets to play"

But, Sanjay, who has publicly expressed that it is two solid defensive technicians with the bat that India missed in England, gave his support to the move in condition that, "If Hanuma Vihari was picked ahead of Karun Nair because the team management thinks he has a better defensive technique, I support the selection. Cricket merit over protocol any day for me. #ENGvsIND"

Vihari, who has scored 5,142 runs at 59.79 across 63 first-class games, is considered as one of the most technically correct middle-order batsmen in the country.