IRE vs IND: Wasim Jaffer picks his India playing XI for 1st T20I, rests Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Former India batter Wasim Jaffer finds some or the other way to keep the fans engaged on social media with his hilarious posts, analysis of the game, and other interesting aspects. His banter with ex-English skipper Michael Vaughan is what stands out from the rest. Apart from all these, Jaffer has also been coming up with the Indian team’s predicted playing XI for a particular contest.

Lately, the veteran Mumbai cricketer came forward and announced his Indian playing XI for the first T20I against Ireland that will be played in Dublin on Sunday, June 26. Meanwhile, the multiple-time Ranji Trophy winner has surprisingly decided to rest senior pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar who also happens to be the vice-captain for this series.

Picking his predicted XI for the opening game against the Andrew Balbirnie-led side, Wasim Jaffer named Ishan Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad as openers. He also picked Ishan as the wicketkeeper for this contest. The middle-order included the likes of Suryakumar Yadav, skipper Hardik Pandya, Deepak Hooda, and Dinesh Karthik.

Wasim picked two frontline spinners in Axar Patel and wrist-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal. The pace bowling attack comprised of Harshal Patel, Avesh Khan, and Arshdeep Singh in place of Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Surprisingly, there was no place for Umran Malik as well who impressed many with his pace in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022.

Here’s Wasim Jaffer’s XI: 

My playing XI for tonight:

1. Ishan (wk)
2. Rutu
3. SKY
4. Hardik (c)
5. Hooda
6. DK
7. Axar
8. Harshal
9. Chahal
10. Avesh
11. Arshdeep (I'll rest Bhuvi and look at Arshdeep)

What's yours? #IREvIND

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) June 26, 2022

Hardik Pandya has been named the stand-in captain for the two-match series with the limited-overs vice-captain KL Rahul being ruled out for a prolonged period of time due to a groin injury. This series will also kick off the Indian team’s UK tour that will see them lock horns with England in an all-format bilateral series starting with the rescheduled fifth Test match next Friday i.e. July 1.

The focus will be on two of India’s promising speedsters Arshdeep Singh and Umran Malik as the selectors and the team management begin their auditions for the T20 World Cup down under in October-November.