Big-hitter Tim David should feature in Australia's starting lineup in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2022, according to Adam Gilchrist and Mark Waugh. David made his T20I debut for Australia during the series against India and amassed 74 runs in 3 games at a strike rate of almost 170.

The Men in Yellow were reduced to 117/6 on Sunday (September 25) in Hyderabad during the series-deciding third T20I against India, when David initiated a counterattack and smashed 54 off only 27 balls to lift the team's total to a competitive 186/7.

Australia's legend Adam Gilchrist, while talking to ICC, said that the 26-year-old should be included in the starting XI in T20 World Cup. The legendary wicketkeeper-batter remarked that the opposition teams would fear the big hitter.

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“Tim David should have a place in that XI. His power and the way he has taken it on...and seeing what we have seen from him over the last 18 months all around the world, it is really in all different conditions and they (opposition teams) will fear him coming in. It is a role that Australia have never really tried to fill, having someone who knows they are only going to get 15 or 20 balls (to make an impact)," he added.

On the other hand, former opener Mark Waugh noted that a lot may happen between now and the tournament's start in mid-October, he mirrored Gilchrist's thoughts.

“I have got Tim David in the XI at this stage. That could change with form, but that looks a pretty good side to me,” Waugh noted.

Both the former cricketers, however, couldn't agree on which player to be dropped from the starting lineup to make room for the 26-year-old.

While Waugh left veteran batter, Steve Smith, out of his best lineup, Gilchrist felt Marcus Stoinis’ might be replaced by the young batter.

(ICC AND ANI INPUTS)