With India’s ICC Champions Trophy triumph against New Zealand, speculation swirled around the future of senior players in the ODI format. However, Indian captain Rohit Sharma put all rumors to rest during the post-match celebrations, indirectly stating that we(the senior players) are not retiring from this format. In the press conference, he further clarified, ” I am not going to retire from this format. Just to clear the rumors”
With this confirmation, both Rohit and Virat Kohli are set to feature in India’s squad for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup in South Africa. Now, the focus shifts to assembling the right combination for the tournament.
Core players likely to feature in CWC 2027
Apart from Rohit and Kohli, several key players have likely cemented their places in the squad. Jasprit Bumrah, India’s pace spearhead, will be a certainty, given his impact across formats. Vice-captain Shubman Gill is also expected to be a key figure at the top of the order.
In the middle order, India could rely on the likes of Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Hardik Pandya. While Iyer and Rahul provide stability, Pandya’s all-round ability remains crucial to the team’s balance.
Bowling attack: Pacer-heavy strategy?
With the World Cup set to be played in South Africa, where pitches generally assist fast bowlers, India may opt for a pace-heavy squad. Probable selections in the fast-bowling department include Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, and Harshit Rana.
Among all-rounders, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel remain strong contenders. In the spin department, India could choose between Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy, depending on conditions.
India’s ODI roadmap before CWC 2027
Before the 2027 World Cup, India will play approximately 27 ODIs, giving them ample opportunities to fine-tune their squad. The upcoming schedule includes:
- 3 ODIs vs Bangladesh
- 3 ODIs vs Australia
- 3 ODIs vs South Africa
- 3 ODIs vs Afghanistan
- 3 ODIs vs England
- 3 ODIs vs West Indies
- 3 ODIs vs New Zealand
- 3 ODIs vs Sri Lanka
With multiple series lined up, the Indian team management will have ample opportunities to assess players and finalize their ideal XI for the mega event.
