The team, which will be led by Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant as the designated vice-captain, Irfan Pathan believes that KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal are the two best candidates for opening the innings out of several. At No. 3, Irfan has chosen comeback man Karun Nair to take charge of matters and provide solid assistance to the top order. Gill and Pant have been confirmed to play at four and five, so the former cricketer is confident in his ability to pick the two most important positions in the middle order.

Team India is preparing for a five-match Test series against England to kick off their new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. The first game of the series will be contested at Headingley in Leeds, and the five-day match is scheduled to begin on June 20. Before the highly anticipated match, former star all-rounder Irfan Pathan has presented his ideal playing XI for the opening game.

According to the Baroda native, star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja would bat at number six and serve as the squad’s specialist spinner. Fast-bowling all-rounders Nitish Kumar Reddy and Shardul Thakur have both secured slots in his ideal playing lineup, despite reports that only one of the two will play at Headingley. However, Irfan has chosen both of them to provide more depth to the batting unit.

Jasprit Bumrah will lead India’s bowling assault in the pace department, which appears to be their strongest strength entering into this series. Irfan anticipates Bumrah to be at his best in the forthcoming series, leading by example, with Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna as his partners-in-crime. Overall, the 40-year-old, who will also provide commentary for the series, has chosen a strong mix that can help India win the first Test and take a 1-0 lead.

Irfan Pathan’s India playing XI for first Test: 

KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Karun Nair, Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna

England field their most inexperienced bowling line-up

England, meanwhile, have already named their Playing XI for the game commencing Friday. The Ben Stokes-led side is taking its most inexperienced bowling attack in the last couple of decades, but the likes of Chris Woakes has returned in what could be a positive sign for the Three Lions.