India's playing XI for 1st T20I vs Australia announced; no place for Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav

Former Team India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has picked his Men in Blue playing XI for the upcoming first T20I against Australia, set to take place on Wednesday, October 29, at the Manuka Oval in Canberra. Pathan ignored left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, picking only one specialist spinner for the series opener.

India, led by Shubman Gill, were outplayed by Australia in the ODI series. Australia clinched the first two matches by seven and two wickets, respectively. The visiting team registered a comfortable nine-wicket win in the final game and will now look to carry that winning momentum into the upcoming T20I series.

Irfan Pathan Picks India's Playing XI for 1st T20I vs Australia

Irfan Pathan has named his playing XI for the opening T20I against Australia, picking Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill as the openers. Gill, who struggled during the Asia Cup, will look to rediscover his rhythm on the Australian pitches.

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Pathan selected Tilak Varma and skipper Suryakumar Yadav for the number three and four slots in the lineup. Abhishek and Tilak were among the standout performers during the Asia Cup 2025.

Sharma amassed 314 runs at a blistering strike rate of 200, while Tilak added 213 runs from six innings. Suryakumar will hope to find consistency again after a disappointing run of form.

Pathan named Sanju Samson as the designated wicketkeeper-batter, while Axar Patel and Shivam Dube were included as all-rounders. He went with the same core group that featured in the Asia Cup.

With Hardik Pandya sidelined by injury, Irfan Pathan opted for a pace-heavy lineup suited to Australian conditions. He named Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Harshit Rana as the frontline fast bowlers.

Pathan stated that Shivam Dube and Axar Patel can provide depth and overs in the middle order. For the lone specialist spinner slot, he picked Varun Chakaravarthy over Kuldeep Yadav, citing his ability to bowl in the powerplay.

Irfan Pathan's playing XI for AUS vs IND 2025 1st T20I: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy

It's Also Not a Big Problem - Irfan Pathan

Irfan Pathan said that Harshit Rana’s impressive cameo in the second ODI has boosted the team management’s confidence in him as a lower-order option. Pathan added that selecting Kuldeep Yadav in the spin department wouldn’t be an issue.

"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?" Pathan said on his YouTube channel

"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," he added.

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