Irfan Pathan picks India's starting lineup in 1st ODI against Australia and explains why Harshit Rana should play

Divy Dubey

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Irfan Pathan picks India's starting lineup in 1st ODI against Australia and explains why Harshit Rana should play image

India are set to face Australia in the opening ODI of the three-match series at Perth on October 19. It marks the beginning of a new phase for the Men in Blue under Shubman Gill's leadership.

With senior stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli returning, all eyes will be on how India balance experience with youth - especially as the team looks to build toward future white-ball campaigns.

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Irfan Pathan's preferred India XI for the Perth ODI

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan shared his ideal line-up for the series opener, naming Shubman Gill as captain and opening partner to Rohit Sharma.

He suggested the middle order should feature Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul, with Nitish Kumar Reddy and Axar Patel providing depth as all-rounders.

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Pathan backed Kuldeep Yadav as the lone spinner, while Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh were his first-choice pacers. The standout inclusion was 23-year-old Harshit Rana, whom Pathan wants in the XI for both his bowling and lower-order hitting.

"I think Harshit will play. He is the only bowler in this unit who can also bat. I think he will be promoted to the number eight position. I see him in that position as the third fast bowler. It will be an opportunity for him also to perform," Pathan said on his YouTube channel.

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Irfan Pathan on Shubman Gill's leadership challenge

Pathan also weighed in on the leadership aspect, saying the series will test Gill's ability to command respect while working alongside senior players.

"India will be under a new leader. A big challenge for Gill will be how much respect he moves forward with Rohit Sharma. A lot depends on how much respect juniors give seniors. I'm sure Gill respects both Rohit and Virat," Pathan explained.

He added that the key will be managing senior partnerships on and off the field, something that could define Gill's early captaincy phase.

Irfan Pathan's India XI for 1st ODI vs Australia:

Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (c), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (vc), KL Rahul (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj

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Divy Dubey

Divy Dubey is a content producer for The Sporting News' India edition. He has a passion for cricket and is an avid fan of football. His work spans culture, media, and digital trends. With a background in research and a curiosity-driven approach, he enjoys crafting thoughtful, engaging stories that invite readers to see everyday topics in a new light.