Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has picked his playing XI for the first T20I against Australia. Pathan backed Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill as the opening pair for the first match. Sharma has been in tremendous form, and he is going to hold the key at the top of the order for the visitors.

Pathan wants Suryakumar Yadav to bat at one drop and Asia Cup final hero Tilak Varma to bat at number four. The former swing bowler wants wicket-keeper batsman Sanju Samson to bat at number five.

Shivam Dube and Axar Patel are the two all-rounders in Pathan’s XI. Furthermore, Pathan backed in-form Harshit Rana ahead of Kuldeep Yadav. Rana recently returned with figures of 4-39 in 8.4 overs, he bowled in the third ODI against Australia.

Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah are the other two pacers in Pathan’s team, whereas Varun Chakravarthy is the main spinner.

Meanwhile, Rana had also scored 24 runs off 18 balls in the second ODI against Australia.

“Harshit Rana’s cameo in the second ODI would have given the Indian team management a lot of confidence. So if he plays at No.8, India have their order till No.7 sorted, with two all-rounders in Dube and Axar, who can give you at least 6 overs. Then you can also play 2 pacers in Arshdeep and Jasprit, but who will that ne frontline spinner be?

“I’m thinking towards Chakaravarthy because he can bowl a couple of overs in the powerplay as well, if needed. India also need that bit of a mystery factor in their playing XI. But if the team management goes for Kuldeep, then it is also not a big problem,” Irfan Pathan said on his YouTube channel.

Irfan Pathan’s playing XI for 1st T20I against Australia: Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah.

The first T20I between India and Australia will be played at Canberra on Wednesday.