Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has picked India’s playing XI for the opening ODI against England. Chopra picked Indian skipper Shubman Gill and veteran batter Rohit Sharma as openers for the opening game.

Virat Kohli will take his number three position in Chopra’s team whereas Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul will bat at number four and five, respectively. Chopra wants Ishan Kishan to bat at number six and kept Axar Patel at number seven.

“Rohit Sharma with Shubman Gill, and then Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul would come. I want Ishan Kishan to be played. Since you don’t have options like Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy, go with six proper batters. Keep Axar Patel at No. 7, and your batting will end at No. 7. Since you have played six proper batters, it’s not an issue if your batting ends at No. 7,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

Chopra wants India to play Kuldeep Yadav as a specialist spinner in the team. The renowned commentator picked Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Gurnoor Brar as the three pacers.

“Play Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar, and Kuldeep Yadav. I want to play Kuldeep Yadav. I want to go with five proper bowlers. Yes, it will be a slight test of courage. If you go for security, cushion, and insurance, a batter will be required at No. 8,” he observed.

Chopra believes batters will need to take extra responsibility if Kuldeep Yadav is included in the playing XI.

“Then there won’t be a place for Kuldeep Yadav, but if you show a little courage, you can say that you will play a batter short, but since you are playing all proper batters, they need to take responsibility,” Chopra noted.

Aakash Chopra’s preferred playing XI for 1st ODI against England: Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar.