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Irfan Pathan requests India to incorporate Kuldeep Yadav against Australia, suggesting Nitish Reddy bowl more overs to balance the playing XI.
Indian players make their option to the drinks station through the ODI vs Australia (Picture credit: AP)
Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan has said that Nitish Reddy must be bowling seven to eight overs, while playing because the third pacer and increase the batting, while Kuldeep Yadav finds a spot as well. India went right down to Australia by seven wickets in a rain-curtailed game on Sunday, October 19, in Perth.
India left Kuldeep out of the playing XI, but Irfan felt the side needed to seek out a option to include him. He suggested that Nitish could bowl additional overs and tackle the role of a 3rd pacer.
This might create space for Kuldeep. While acknowledging the challenge of balancing the side, Irfan emphasised that a bowler like Kuldeep could pose a serious threat to Australia’s middle order.
“Can Kuldeep Yadav fit into the XI? How are you going to make a spot for him? Either Nitish gives you seven to eight overs, in order that he can play because the third pacer, increase the batting and you’ll be able to play Kuldeep as well,” Irfan said while speaking on his YouTube channel.
“But what’s the Indian team doing? You would like batting till eight. It isn’t easy to run the team and I understand. But Kuldeep is such a bowler who can get the higher of this Aussie batting, whose middle order is vulnerable,” Irfan said.
Kuldeep has been omitted because the side prioritises batting depth. Offering another choice, Irfan suggested that India could let Harshit Rana bat at No. 8 in the event that they believed he could play well and bolster the lower order.
Irfan added that India could then play Kuldeep instead of Washington Sundar.
“India can take some risk. When you think Harshit has the potential to be the bowler who can bat at eight, then put him into the pool and let him swim. When you could make him bat there, you’ll be able to get three pacers and play Kuldeep instead of Washington,” Irfan said.
October 19, 2025, 23:43 IST
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