AUS vs IND 2025: Irfan Pathan shares India's Playing XI for first T20I; Is Kuldeep Yadav in?

Renowned commentator and former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has shared his ideal Playing XI that the Indian team should enter with, if they are to beat Australia in the first T20I. Pathan has said that the Suryakumar Yadav-led side might opt to go for a pace-heavy attack, since the conditions are contrary from Dubai, where they played the Asia Cup 2025. As a result, only one specialist spinner could make it through.

To start off, the 41-year-old has had no hesitation whatsoever in picking the top five batters, as Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma will open the innings, followed by captain Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, and wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson. Later, he picked a couple of all-rounders to complete the batting line-up, with Axar Patel and Shivam Dube taking the spots.

While he said that the Men in Blue should opt for a pace-heavy attack, youngster Harshit Rana has been asked to fill the No. 8 spot, whereas the lethal pacers in the form of Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh will also complete the names of the fast bowlers for the upcoming clash.

The last position left was to be filled by a spinner, either Varun Chakravarthy or Kuldeep Yadav. However, the cricketer-turned-commentator sided with mystery leg-spinner Chakravarthy to take up the onus of delivering the goods in the spin department.

Watch the video of Irfan Pathan's India Playing XI for first T20I vs Australia here

Axar is another spinning option, whereas Abhishek Sharma also provides left-arm spin if needed. The Baroda-born feels that this is the perfect Playing XI that Suryakumar Yadav & Co. should field against the Mitchell Marsh-led Australia on Wednesday, October 29 at the Manuka Oval, Canberra, which can help them gain an early advantage in the five-match tour Down Under.

Irfan Pathan's India Playing XI for 1st T20I vs Australia

Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy