The ICC ODI World Cup 2027 will be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. The tournament will feature 14 teams and is set to be played from 4 October to 21 November 2027. The last time the ODI World Cup was held in Africa was in 2003, and India reached the final of the tournament.
Meanwhile, this time, India is set to be the favorite to win the tournament. They have both the experienced and youth going for them on the road to the World Cup and are likely to be captained by Shubman Gill. But apart from him, let’s have a look at 5 Indian players who might be crucial for India in the tournament.
Here are 5 Indian players who will play a crucial role in the ICC ODI World Cup 2027:
5. KL Rahul
KL Rahul is likely to be the first-choice keeper-batter for India in the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup, as he has been since 2023. Rahul played a huge role in India’s run to the final in the 2023 edition with crucial runs down the order, scoring 452 runs, with one century, at a strike rate of 90.76.
Rahul is adept at playing on the bouncy surfaces in South Africa and the slowish tracks in Zimbabwe as well. He will be tasked with shepherding the middle order in tough conditions in case India loses quick wickets or giving the perfect finishing touch in death overs.
4. Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer was one of the success stories for India in the 2023 World Cup, with 530 runs, 2 centuries, and a strike rate of 113.41. He made runs at a quick pace, and seldom did the bowlers have the upper hand on him. He was brutal against spinners, something that will come in handy in Zimbabwe.
While he does have a weakness against short-pitch deliveries, Iyer has shown enough improvement in his technique to deal with the same in recent times. Iyer has 3035 runs in 79 ODIs with 5 centuries at an average of 45.98, and all his experience will come in handy in Africa during the ICC event.
3. Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah starred with 20 wickets for India in the ICC World Cup 2023 and has a brilliant record in South Africa. He has 13 wickets in 9 games in South Africa, and the bouncy, hard wickets will suit his style of seam bowling. He has mastered the art of adapting to different situations, and this will come in handy when he has to lead the Indian pace attack on pitches that are slow, quick, and have variable bounce.
2. Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma is a bonafide legend of the ODI game, with 11,720 runs in 286 games at an average of 48.83, 33 centuries, and a best score of 264. He remains the only batter with multiple double-centuries in ODIs. He has extensive experience playing in South Africa, having scored 256 runs in 14 games with one century.
His brilliant form against pacers on bouncy tracks and ability to play the pull and hook shots separate him from ordinary batters. He will likely be playing his final ICC event for India and would want to end it on a winning note by lifting the only ICC trophy, eluding him.
1. Virat Kohli
One of the all-time greatest ODI batters in the world, Virat Kohli has almost 1,000 runs in South Africa in the format at an average of 76.38 with 3 centuries and a best score of 160*. Kohli has always preferred places like South Africa, where the ball comes on to the bat and he gets to play through the line.
Overall, he is the second highest run-getter in ODIs, with 14,797 runs in 311 ODIs at an average of 58.71 with a record 54 centuries and 77 fifties and the best score of 183. He will also play his final ICC event for India in the 2027 World Cup and will want to retire as a two-time 50-over World champion.
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