Former India cricketers Dinesh Karthik, Aakash Chopra and Abhishek Nair have shared their preferred playing XI ahead of India’s opening ODI against England at Edgbaston on Tuesday, July 14. With several senior stars returning to the team 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 on some key selection calls, notably the third seamer, all-rounders and whether India should play an additional specialist batsman. Meanwhile, Ben Duckett has outlined England’s plans for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the ODIs.
Dinesh Karthik selected India XI for the first ODI against England
Dinesh Karthik favored a balanced combination built around three specialist fast bowlers, two frontline spinners and a fast 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 chose Shivam Dubey at No. 6, believing that the left-hander provides the seam-bowling option that India need in English conditions. Axar Patel came in at number 7, while Kuldeep Yadav completed the spin department.
One of Karthik’s biggest selection calls was to back young fast bowler Prince Yadav as the third seamer alongside Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh. This means Prasidh Krishna and Gurnoor Brar missed out despite being part of India’s ODI squad. He also ignored Ishan Kishan and Washington Sundar.
Dinesh Karthik’s India XI:
-Shubman Gill
-Rohit Sharma
-Virat Kohli
-Shreyas Iyer
– KL Rahul
-Shivam Dubey
-Akshar Patel
-Kuldeep Yadav
-Prince Yadav
– Arshdeep Singh
-Jasprit Bumrah
Aakash Chopra announces India’s playing XI for the first ODI against England
Aakash Chopra presented two possible combinations on his YouTube channel but made it clear which one he personally prefers. The former India opener wanted India to show courage by fielding six specialist batsmen, with Ishan Kishan coming in perfectly as a No. 6 batsman.
According to Aakash Chopra, the absence of Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy should encourage India to strengthen the batting rather than adding another all-rounder. He also favored Axar Patel at No. 7 before choosing Kuldeep Yadav as the only specialist spinner with three frontline pacers.
Aakash Chopra preferred Gurnoor Brar over Prasidh Krishna for the role of third fast bowler, believing that the right-arm fast bowler has impressed enough to earn the opportunity.
Aakash Chopra’s favorite India XI:
-Shubman Gill
-Rohit Sharma
-Virat Kohli
-Shreyas Iyer
– KL Rahul
-Ishaan Kishan
-Akshar Patel
-Jasprit Bumrah
– Arshdeep Singh
– Gurnoor Brar
-Kuldeep Yadav
However, Aakash Chopra also predicted that India’s actual playing XI could be different. He believes that the team management can prioritize bowling depth by selecting Shivam Dubey at number six and Washington Sundar at number eight, while retaining Gurnoor Brar as the third fast bowler.
Abhishek Nair selected India’s playing eleven for the first England ODI
Former India all-rounder Abhishek Nair, also speaking on Star Sports, picked a well-balanced XI but made some notable changes compared to the other two experts. He named Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer in the top four before suggesting flexibility among KL Rahul, Axar Patel and Shivam Dubey depending on the match situation.
Nair felt that Dubey’s seam bowling could prove valuable in English conditions and he preferred Kuldeep Yadav ahead of Washington Sundar as India’s specialist spinner.
He chose Gurnoor Brar in place of Prasidh Krishna in his team. Nair praised Gurnoor’s ability to generate extra pace and bounce, while also highlighting his batting ability as an added advantage in the lower order.
Abhishek Nair’s India XI:
-Rohit Sharma
-Shubman Gill
-Virat Kohli
-Shreyas Iyer
– KL Rahul
-Akshar Patel
-Shivam Dubey
-Kuldeep Yadav
-Jasprit Bumrah
– Gurnoor Brar
– Arshdeep Singh