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Former India cricketers Dinesh Karthik, Aakash Chopra and Abhishek Nayar have shared their preferred Playing XIs ahead of India's opening ODI against England at Edgbaston on Tuesday, July 14. With several senior stars returning to the side and Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy unavailable, the biggest debate revolves around the balance between batting depth and bowling options.
While all three experts were on the same page on the core of India's XI, they differed over a few key selection calls, particularly the third seamer, the all-rounders and whether India should play an extra specialist batter. Meanwhile, Ben Duckett has outlined England's plan for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in ODIs.
Dinesh Karthik picks India XI for 1st ODI vs England
Dinesh Karthik backed a balanced combination built around three specialist fast bowlers, two frontline spinners and a pace-bowling all-rounder. Speaking on Sky Sports, the former India wicketkeeper retained the established top five of Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul without making any changes.
With Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy unavailable, Karthik opted for Shivam Dube at No. 6, believing the left-hander offers the seam-bowling option India need in English conditions. Axar Patel slotted in at No. 7, while Kuldeep Yadav completed the spin department.
One of Karthik's biggest selection calls was backing young pacer Prince Yadav as the third seamer alongside Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh. That meant Prasidh Krishna and Gurnoor Brar missed out despite being part of India's ODI squad. He also overlooked Ishan Kishan and Washington Sundar.
Dinesh Karthik's India XI:
- Shubman Gill
- Rohit Sharma
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer
- KL Rahul
- Shivam Dube
- Axar Patel
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Prince Yadav
- Arshdeep Singh
- Jasprit Bumrah
Aakash Chopra names India's playing XI for 1st ODI vs England
Aakash Chopra presented two possible combinations on his YouTube channel but made it clear which one he personally preferred. The former India opener wanted India to show courage by fielding six specialist batters, with Ishan Kishan coming in purely as a batter at No. 6.
According to Aakash Chopra, the absence of Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy should encourage India to strengthen the batting rather than add another all-rounder. He also backed Axar Patel at No. 7 before selecting Kuldeep Yadav as the lone specialist spinner alongside three frontline pacers.
Aakash Chopra preferred Gurnoor Brar over Prasidh Krishna for the third seamer's role, believing the right-arm quick has impressed enough to earn an opportunity.
Aakash Chopra's preferred India XI:
- Shubman Gill
- Rohit Sharma
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer
- KL Rahul
- Ishan Kishan
- Axar Patel
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Arshdeep Singh
- Gurnoor Brar
- Kuldeep Yadav
Aakash Chopra, however, also predicted that India's actual Playing XI could be different. He felt the team management might prioritise bowling depth by selecting Shivam Dube at No. 6 and Washington Sundar at No. 8, while still retaining Gurnoor Brar as the third fast bowler.
Abhishek Nayar selects India's playing XI for 1st England ODI
Former India all-rounder Abhishek Nayar also picked a well-balanced XI while speaking on Star Sports but made a couple of notable changes from the other two experts. He kept Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer in the top four before suggesting flexibility between KL Rahul, Axar Patel and Shivam Dube depending on the match situation.
Nayar felt Dube's seam bowling could prove valuable in English conditions and preferred Kuldeep Yadav ahead of Washington Sundar as India's specialist spinner.
He picked Gurnoor Brar instead of Prasidh Krishna in his team. Nayar praised Gurnoor's ability to generate extra pace and bounce, while also highlighting his batting ability as an added advantage lower down the order.
Abhishek Nayar's India XI:
- Rohit Sharma
- Shubman Gill
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer
- KL Rahul
- Axar Patel
- Shivam Dube
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Gurnoor Brar
- Arshdeep Singh
