Cricket

“Play him in place of Washington Sundar” - Irfan Pathan suggests a major change in playing XI for the 2nd ODI

After India's loss in the first ODI, Irfan Pathan suggests a major change for the second match, arguing to bring in the in-form wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav in place of another player like Washington Sundar to bolster the bowling attack. Find out his full playing XI suggestion.

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Former Indian all-rounder and commentator Irfan Pathan has suggested that Team India include the attacking spinner Kuldeep Yadav in the second ODI of the three-match series against Australia at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday, October 23.

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Speaking on his YouTube channel, Irfan asserted that Kuldeep has enough capability to break Australia’s middle-order, which is looking a bit vulnerable at the moment. Furthermore, he suggested Kuldeep replace Washington Sundar in the XI and compromise on batting depth.

"Can Kuldeep Yadav fit into the XI? How can you make a place for him? Either Nitish gives you seven to eight overs, so that he can play as the third pacer, increase the batting, and you can play Kuldeep as well. But what is the Indian team doing? You want batting till eight. It is not easy to run the team and I understand. But Kuldeep is such a bowler who can get the better of this Australian batting whose middle order is vulnerable," Irfan Pathan said on his YouTube channel.

"India can take some risk. If you think Harshit has the potential to be the bowler who can bat at eight, then put him into the pool and let him swim. If you can make him bat there you can get three pacers and play Kuldeep in place of Washington. So either Nitish becomes your third pacer or play Kuldeep in place of Sundar. You need to compromise on batting depth a bit,” he added.

Additionally, Irfan slammed the Indian bowling attack for their awry lines and lengths in the first ODI, conceding victory in only 21.1 overs as Australia registered a seven-wicket convincing win to start the three-match series 1-0.

"As bowlers, you need to get the right length in Australia. The difference of even a meter in length while bowling in India and Australia is huge. The bowlers also need to adjust and play practice games. They were unable to find the right lengths," he concluded.

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