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Irfan Pathan requests India to include Kuldeep Yadav against Australia, suggesting Nitish Reddy bowl more overs to balance the playing XI.

Indian players make their way to the drinks station during the ODI vs Australia (Picture credit: AP)
Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan has said that Nitish Reddy should be bowling seven to eight overs, while playing as the third pacer and increase the batting, while Kuldeep Yadav finds a place as well. India went 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 find a way to include him. He suggested that Nitish could bowl additional overs and take on the role of a third pacer.
This would 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 can you make a place for him? Either Nitish gives you seven to eight overs, so that he can play as the third pacer, increase the batting and you can play Kuldeep as well,” Irfan said while speaking on his YouTube channel.
“But what is the Indian team doing? You want batting till eight. It isn’t easy to run the team and I understand. But Kuldeep is such a bowler who can get the better of this Aussie batting, whose middle order is vulnerable,” Irfan said.
Kuldeep has been left out as the side prioritises batting depth. Offering another option, Irfan suggested that India could let Harshit Rana bat at No. 8 if they believed he could play well and bolster the lower order.
Irfan added that India could then play Kuldeep in place of Washington Sundar.
“India can take some risk. If 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. If you can make him bat there, you can get three pacers and play Kuldeep in place of Washington,” Irfan said.
October 19, 2025, 23:43 IST
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