Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has shared his preferred playing XI for the first T20I between India and Australia in Canberra, backing Varun Chakravarthy over Kuldeep Yadav as the team’s frontline spinner. The five-match series, beginning Wednesday, will be crucial for both sides as they fine-tune their combinations ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup.

Kuldeep’s selection across formats has been a constant talking point in recent months, but Irfan Pathan believes Chakravarthy’s mystery spin and powerplay utility give him the edge. “I’m leaning towards Chakravarthy because he can bowl a couple of overs in the powerplay if needed. India also needs that mystery element in their attack, especially against a side like Australia,” Irfan explained on his YouTube channel.

Pathan retained the same top six that powered India’s Asia Cup 2025 triumph — Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, and all-rounder Shivam Dube. With Hardik Pandya sidelined due to injury, the former cricketer emphasised the balance provided by Dube and Axar Patel, who can collectively contribute at least six overs.

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Praising young pacer Harshit Rana, Irfan added that his confident performance in the ODI series has earned him a place in the lineup alongside Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah, forming a potent pace trio.

“I think Rana’s cameo in the second ODI will give the team management a lot of confidence. If he bats at No.8, the lineup looks balanced till No.7. With Axar and Dube providing depth, India can afford to play three pacers and one mystery spinner,” Irfan Pathan said.

He concluded by saying that this series presents India a “golden opportunity” to make a strong statement with a historic series win over Australia ahead of the World Cup.

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Irfan Pathan’s XI for the 1st T20I: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy.