The ICC ODI World Cup 2027 will be played in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia in October-November next year. Australia is the defending world champion, while 2023 finalists India will be one of the favourites to lift the trophy.
Indian team management and the BCCI selectors are testing out multiple players apart from the confirmed ones for the spots in the ICC World Cup. Players need to be picked according to conditions in South Africa and Zimbabwe, and hence, the BCCI needs to pick the best possible combination for the event.
Here is a prediction of India’s strongest 15-member squad for the ICC ODI World Cup 2027:
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, the captain, are likely to be picked as the first-choice openers for the Indian team. Virat Kohli, vice-captain Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul are likely to be part of the middle order of the Indian side. KL Rahul is likely to be the first-choice wicketkeeper-batter, with Ishan Kishan as the backup keeper and opener.
Hardik Pandya is likely to be the pace-bowling all-rounder, while Axar Patel and Washington Sundar might be included as the spin-bowling all-rounders. India might also opt for Nitish Kumar Reddy for the ICC event, which will be a longer tournament than the 2023 edition.
Kuldeep Yadav is expected to be the sole proper spinner in the Indian lineup, given that India will play most of the games on bouncy pitches in South Africa and only a handful in Zimbabwe and Namibia.
India will need to have a very good pace contingent for the event, and Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah are likely to lead the pace unit. Harshit Rana is likely to be the third pacer, given that he can bat as well, extending India’s batting depth to no. 8.
Arshdeep Singh might be included for the left-arm pacer spot in the XI, and if Nitish Kumar Reddy is not picked, India can opt for Prasidh Krishna or Gurnoor Brar in the pace bowling unit.
Predicted India’s strongest 15-member squad for ICC ODI World Cup 2027:
Shubman Gill (C), Shreyas Iyer (VC), KL Rahul (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar/ Nitish Kumar Reddy
