Legendary commentator and past India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has come up with his favorite Playing XI that the Indian team needs to go in with, if they are to triumph over Australia in the first T20I. Pathan has explained that the side led by Suryakumar Yadav may choose to play a pace-oriented attack, as the conditions are opposite of Dubai, where they contested the Asia Cup 2025. Hence, a lone specialist spinner may find a place through. To begin with, the 41-year-old has not hesitated one bit in choosing the first five batters, with Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma opening the batting, followed by captain Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, and wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson. Subsequently, he selected a couple of all-rounders to round off the batting line-up, with Axar Patel and Shivam Dube filling the slots. Although he opined that the Men in Blue must go for a pace-accentuated attack, youngster Harshit Rana has been requested to occupy the No. 8 position, while the deadly pacers in the shape of Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh will also finalize the names of the fast bowlers for the next encounter. Also Read | Is Rohit Sharma retiring after Australia series? Viral video sparks confusions The remaining position vacant was to be occupied by a spinner either being Varun Chakravarthy or Kuldeep Yadav. But the cricketer turned commentator chose to back mystery leg-spinner Chakravarthy to assume the responsibility of delivering the goods on the spin front. Axar is the other spin option, while Abhishek Sharma also offers left-arm spin if required. The Baroda-born believes that this is the ideal Playing XI that Suryakumar Yadav & Co. must pick against Mitchell Marsh's Australia on Wednesday, October 29 at the Manuka Oval, Canberra, which can assist them in gaining an early edge in the five-match tour Down Under. Irfan Pathan's India Playing XI: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy