Former Indian fast bowler Munaf Patel has picked India’s playing XI for the Super 8 clash against Zimbabwe. Patel made two changes to the team’s starting XI, which took the field against South Africa in the last game.

The Delhi Capitals bowling coach backed Sanju Samson and Axar Patel to replace Rinku Singh and Washington Sundar respectively. Patel wants Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson to open the innings whereas he feels Ishan Kishan should bat at one drop.

The 2011 World Cup winning player wants Tilak Varma to bat at number four and the team’s captain Suryakumar Yadav to bat at number five. Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya are the seam-bowling all-rounders in Patel’s team whereas Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy are the spinners.

Jasprit Bumrah, who returned with impressive figures of 3-15 in his quota of four overs against South Africa, and Arshdeep Singh have been backed as the two pacers by Munaf Patel.

Munaf Patel’s playing XI, which he picked on his X handle: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh.

On the other hand, India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said there can be changes to the team’s playing XI against Zimbabwe.

“There can be changes in the game. We are thinking of the top three left-handers and the oppositions bowling off spin. Now that we have lost openers early in 3 matches, we are talking about it. The No. 8 position, we think is for all-rounders,” Sitanshu Kotak explained in the pre-match press conference.

India will take on Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on Thursday.