Ishan Kishan left out as Sunil Gavaskar names his India playing XI for first match of ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 vs Australia

Sunil Gavaskar picked Mohammed Shami as third pace bowler option.

Team India made a late change in their 15-member squad as they included Ravi Ashwin as injured Axar Patel’s replacement. This brings some variety to Indian squad for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. Team India will be entering World Cup and will begin their campaign with their full-strength squad. Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar gave his thoughts about the final playing XI of team India.

Former Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar has dropped Ishan Kishan from his preferred playing XI and picked Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul in the middle-order. Gavaskar picked Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma as two India opening batters, along with Virat Kohli, in the No. 3 batting position. Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja also have found their place in Sunil Gavaskar’s preferred playing XI.

Sunil Gavaskar's preferred playing XI

The legendary Indian opener said that every team needs a great start in batting, and a strong top-order is a much-needed thing. Gavaskar said, “In any team, the top three batters are quite important. A good start from the openers helps the others that follow to play freely. The contribution from the opening pair is going to be crucial.” Team India will play with their preferred number 4 choice in the middle-order and avoid any experiment.

In the bowling attack, Gavaskar picked the three pacers in top form. He picked Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj, along with Jasprit Bumrah, in the playing XI. He added, “You may pick three fast bowlers, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and Jasprit Bumrah... Since they have Hardik Pandya, they can also go with two pace bowlers and play extra spinner, and you can have Ashwin in the playing XI."

Team India will begin their World Cup campaign against Australia at Chepauk Stadium in Chennai on October 8th. Considering the conditions and opposition, team India can also field three spinners in the playing XI along with Siraj and Bumrah as pace bowlers. Hardik Pandya’s role becomes very important in such a case for the team. Ashwin was included in the squad as the injured Axar Patel's replacement.

Sunil Gavaskar’s Playing XI 

Rohit Sharma ©, Shubman Gill. Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah