Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has finalised his Men in Blue playing XI for the opening match against Ireland on Wednesday (June 5).
The tactic of sending Rishabh Pant at no.3 was beneficial for the team in the warm-up match against Bangladesh, with the wicketkeeper scoring 53 off just 32 deliveries, and Pathan also supported this idea while forming his lineup.
He also picked Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya.
"I like the idea of Rishabh Pant at No. 3 because you get a left-handed batter at that position. If Pant bats in the powerplay, the strategy of trapping him on the off-side may not work because only two players will be outside the 30-yard circle. So, we can see any side of Rishabh Pant," Pathan said on Star Sports.
Meanwhile, Irfan picked Ravindera Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Mohammed Siraj for the bowling line.
When India starts playing in the West Indies, he also expressed his desire to change the lineup with Axer Patel offering a reliable all-round option at no.8.
"I want to see three pacers because they are playing in the USA. Once they go to West Indies, change the three fast bowlers to two and you can have an extra batting option in Axar Patel who can come at No. 8. But I will not include Axar in my playing XI for the game against Ireland," Pathan explained.
Irfan Pathan's predicted XI for India's match against Ireland:
Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj.
