Irfan Pathan suggests an important change in India’s playing XI for the 2nd ODI

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has a piece of advice for Team India to include the star bowler Kuldeep Yadav in the second ODI of the three-match series against Australia at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday, October 23.

Speaking exclusively on his YouTube channel, Irfan reckoned that Kuldeep Yadav could replace someone like Washington Sundar in the playing XI at the Adelaide Oval to break the partnerships in the middle overs.

"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.

Also, Irfan lashed out at the Indian bowling attack for their poor lines and lengths in the first ODI, conceding a seven-wicket victory in only 21.1 overs. 

"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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