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Aakash Chopra has picked India's probable playing XI for the first T20I against Bangladesh. He reckons the Men in Blue might be in a dilemma while deciding the number of seamers they should play.
India will face Bangladesh in a three-match T20I series, starting with the first game in Gwalior on Sunday, October 6. Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, and Mayank Yadav are the three specialist seamers in the hosts' 15-member squad.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra pointed out that Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson are straightforward choices as opening batters.
"Making the XI is going to be a headache. I am saying that whoever you play in the first match, try to play them in all three games. You have Abhishek Sharma and along with him Sanju Samson - two simple choices," he said (6:30).
The former India opener added that while Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and Rinku Singh will likely take the No. 3 to No. 5 positions, Riyan Parag might be the preferred option at No. 6.
"Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya - simple choices. Rinku Singh at No. 5 - it's a simple choice till there as well. Will you play Riyan Parag at No. 6 or go towards someone else? If you play Riyan Parag, keep him at No. 6," Chopra observed.
Parag might bat higher than No. 6 if he is picked in the XI. The Assam youngster can also provide a few decent overs with the ball.
"If you are looking for a batter at No. 8, Washington Sundar should play" - Aakash Chopra
In the same video, Aakash Chopra opined that with Shivam Dube already ruled out of the series due to a back injury, India might want to play Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar at Nos. 7 and 8, respectively.
"Now, who at No. 7? You need an all-rounder at No. 7. The job is starting to get tricky from here. If you play either Shivam Dube or Nitish Reddy here, who will you play at No. 8? This team likes a batter even at No. 8. If you are looking for a batter at No. 8, Washington Sundar should play," he explained (6:55).
The renowned commentator noted that India won't be able to field both Ravi Bishnoi and Varun Chakaravarthy in the XI if they want batting depth till No. 8 and three specialist seamers.
"Then you are left with only three slots. Either you play all three fast bowlers - Harshit, Mayank and Arshdeep Singh, or else put a spinner here. It could be either Ravi Bishnoi or Varun Chakaravarthy, and then you go with only two pacers. So the big question will be three pacers or two pacers, and whether they need a batter at No. 8 or not," Chopra elaborated.
India are unlikely to field three specialist seamers, with Hardik Pandya and potentially Nitish Reddy in the XI. They will have to choose between Harshit Rana and Mayank Yadav in such a scenario, with Arshdeep Singh likely to be a part of the XI due to his experience.
