AUS vs IND 2025: Aakash Chopra confused between Kuldeep and Axar for India's Playing XI in 1st T20I
The first T20I between Australia and India will be played at the Manuka Oval, Canberra on Wednesday, October 29.
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Renowned commentator Aakash Chopra has given his prediction for India's Playing XI in the opening T20I of the upcoming five-match series against Australia. Chopra has expressed his honest thoughts while revealing the ideal winning combination for the game set to be held on Wednesday, October 29 at the Manuka Oval, Canberra.
When it came to the batting unit, the order looked a no-brainer for the former India opener, as he picked the likes of Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill to open, with Tilak Varma and skipper Suryakumar Yadav to follow. He further included Shivam Dube, while asking Sanju Samson to be the wicketkeeper. However, when it came to picking the lower-middle order and spinners, Chopra wasn't too convinced in his opinion.
“They will want to play Nitish Kumar Reddy at No. 7 because then only you can keep Axar Patel at No. 8. If you wish to play Kuldeep and Varun together, then Axar won't be able to play. You will have to make Axar sit out or play Axar at No. 7. No. 7 might be a little too high,” Chopra said in a video on his YouTube channel.
Harshit Rana, a possibility for Aakash Chopra at No. 8
The cricketer-turned-commentator did not rule out the possibility of Harshit Rana making it to the team for the game in Canberra, but said that he will be played only if Axar Patel or Kuldeep Yadav do not fit the bill. Chopra picked Varun Chakravarthy as the specialist spinner, while going with the lethal pace duo of Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah.
“Axar Patel at No. 7 and four proper bowlers from No. 8 to No. 11 looks slightly difficult for me. So Axar/Kuldeep/Harshit — Harshit could be your No. 8 maybe, but it is not a confirmed thing. Varun Chakaravarthy will be my primary spinner. I definitely see Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh playing. There might or might not be a place for Kuldeep, I don't know,” Chopra added further.
Australia vs India Match Prediction, 1st T20I
Aakash Chopra's India Playing XI for 1st T20I: Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Sanju Samson, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav/Axar Patel/Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh
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