India’s former assistant coach Abhishek Nayar has picked India’s playing XI against England for the first ODI of the series. There was no place for Prasidh Krishna and Washington Sundar in Nayar’s team. 

Nayar said it is a no-brainer to pick captain Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as the top three batters. The former Indian cricketer backed vice-captain Shreyas Iyer at number four in the batting order.

KL Rahul, who will take the wicket-keeping gloves, will bat at number five. Nayar reckons Shivam Dube should be picked as a seam-bowling all-rounder at number six, whereas he wants Axar Patel to bat at number seven.

“Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli – no questions asked. Shreyas Iyer at No. 4. The vice-captain has to be there. For me, KL Rahul and Axar Patel will be a switch based on the situation, in case you want a left-hander to come in or you want Shivam Dube to come in. That is slightly the versatility that I would want in my batting order,” Abhishek Nayar said on Star Sports.

The former Indian coach wants the team to back Kuldeep Yadav as a specialist spinner and backed the pace trio of Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar and Jasprit Bumrah.

“For me, Shivam Dube, your lone seam-bowling all-rounder, you will require that in England. The ODI format will benefit him if he can hit his line and lengths. From there on, Kuldeep Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah – no questions asked. Gurnoor is someone that I am excited about. Having that pace upwards of 140-145 with the bounce, that X-factor that you want to groom, and he can bat a bit as well,” Nayar observed.

Abhishek Nayar’s playing XI for the 1st ODI against England: Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar.