The Indian cricket team has already begun preparing for the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup, with the team management and selectors experimenting with several young players in an effort to build the strongest possible combination before the tournament.
The biggest talking point, however, remains the future of senior stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. While questions continue to be raised over whether the veteran duo will feature in the next World Cup, recent performances suggest they are still firmly in contention.
Shubman Gill Likely to Lead India
Going by the current direction of the team management, Shubman Gill is widely expected to captain India at the 2027 ODI World Cup.
India have especially been testing new bowling combinations, giving opportunities to several young fast bowlers and all-rounders. As a result, it remains difficult to predict which bowlers will secure a place in the final playing XI.
Six Players Who Look Almost Certain
Based on current form and team planning, only a handful of players appear to have their places virtually secured.
Rohit Sharma
Despite speculation about his future, Rohit Sharma’s vast experience and leadership make him a valuable asset. Having played multiple World Cups, his presence would provide stability at the top of the order.
Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli’s consistency and experience in major ICC tournaments continue to make him one of India’s most dependable batters. It would be difficult for selectors to overlook him if he maintains his current form.
Shubman Gill
Gill is expected to lead the side and is likely to remain India’s first-choice opening batter heading into the tournament.
Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer has established himself as India’s preferred No. 4 batter. Replacing him would create a significant gap in the middle order, making his place appear almost certain.
KL Rahul
KL Rahul is expected to continue as India’s first-choice wicketkeeper-batter in ODI cricket. His versatility and ability to bat in the middle order strengthen his position in the squad.
Jasprit Bumrah
Among the bowlers, Jasprit Bumrah appears to be the only undisputed selection. If he remains fit, he is expected to lead India’s pace attack at the World Cup.
The Remaining Spots Are Wide Open
Several positions in the squad remain undecided, particularly in the bowling department.
Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya remains India’s premier pace-bowling all-rounder. However, his recurring injury concerns mean his selection will largely depend on his fitness before the tournament.
Spin All-Rounders
India have recently tested new spin-bowling all-rounders, including Harsh Dubey and Saransh Jain, as the team searches for greater balance.
Pace Bowling Competition
Competition for the fast-bowling spots is expected to be intense, with several contenders in the mix:
- Harshit Rana
- Prince Yadav
- Gurnoor Brar
- Arshdeep Singh
- Mohammed Siraj
- Prasidh Krishna
Choosing the final pace attack could become one of the biggest selection headaches ahead of the World Cup.
Spin Department Still Unsettled
India’s spin attack remains another area of concern. In recent months, much of the spin-bowling responsibility has been handled by all-rounders, while Kuldeep Yadav has often found himself on the bench.
The selectors will need to decide whether to rely on specialist spinners or continue with all-round options as they finalize the squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Final Outlook
With less than a year remaining before the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup, India’s squad is still taking shape. While Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Jasprit Bumrah currently appear to be the strongest candidates for automatic selection, several positions—particularly in the bowling unit—remain open.
The coming months, along with bilateral ODI series and major international tournaments, are expected to play a crucial role in determining India’s final World Cup squad.
Bhudev Bhagaliya is an experienced and senior journalist who has carved a distinct niche for himself in the world of Hindi journalism through his profound understanding and precise writing style. With over two decades of experience in the field of journalism, he has held key responsibilities at Dainik Hindustan for 12 years and at Amar Ujala for one year. Currently, he serves as the Content Editor for the Jagrook Youth News newspaper and portal, where he plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and credibility of the news content. Bhudev Bhagaliya consistently writes about issues that help raise awareness within society and among the younger generation.