The five-Test series is leveled at 1–1, and ahead of the crucial 3rd Test at Lord’s, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan shared his expert views on the likely line-ups for both teams. His analysis, delivered via his YouTube channel, focuses on team balance, conditions, and recent performances.
India’s Predicted XI by Irfan Pathan
Irfan Pathan expects minimal changes to India’s batting setup. His predicted XI reflects a balance of experience and form:
Predicted India XI:
- KL Rahul
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Karun Nair
- Shubman Gill (C)
- Rishabh Pant (WK)
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Washington Sundar
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Akash Deep
- Mohammed Siraj
🧠 Analysis:
- Karun Nair at No. 3; despite recent struggles, Pathan believes “he just needs one big knock.”
- The pace trio (Bumrah, Akash Deep, and Siraj) are well-suited to the expected swing-friendly conditions at Lord’s.
- Nitish Kumar Reddy is included for batting depth; Washington Sundar adds spin and lower-order resilience.
🏴☠️ England’s Predicted XI by Irfan Pathan
England’s selection reflects their preference for pace in Lord’s conditions:
Predicted England XI:
- Ben Duckett
- Zak Crawley
- Ollie Pope
- Joe Root
- Harry Brook
- Ben Stokes (C)
- Jamie Smith (WK)
- Chris Woakes
- Jofra Archer
- Gus Atkinson
- Brydon Carse
🧠 Analysis:
- Three frontline seamers Archer, Atkinson, Carse with no specialist spinner
- Root may also act as a part-time spinner if needed.
- This all-pace attack is designed to exploit Lord’s early swing and overcast conditions.
🔄 How Well Do These Picks Fit the Context?
| Team | Strengths | Concerns |
|---|---|---|
| India | Balanced bowling and batting depth | Reliant on Nair’s form; only one frontline spinner |
| England | Raw pace arsenal; seamless seam attack | No specialist spin; heavy reliance on conditions |
🎯 Winning Plan Overview
India:
- Top-order: Rahul, Jaiswal, Nair, and Gill to stabilize early.
- Key battles:
- Karun Nair vs. England pace needs a strong start.
- Washington Sundar vs. pace offers flexibility.
England:
- Rely on a three-pronged pace attack to dominate early.
- Use Root’s part-time spin if the surface flattens.
- Bat deep with six specialist batters.
Why Irfan Pathan’s Picks Matter
- Informed insight: Pathan’s selections are rooted in performance, conditions, and recent form
- Professional foresight: His decisions about the pace-heavy England XI and India’s batting structure reflect modern Test strategy.
- Fan engagement: Fun to debate—do you agree with Nair over more proven batters? Or England’s spinner-less XI?
✅ Final Word
Irfan Pathan’s predictions bring clarity ahead of the Lord’s Test—India banking on a mixture of depth and pace, England betting on seam. Ultimate win will go to the team that executes best on the field.
