India’s road to the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Sunil Gavaskar’s squad projection sparks debate

With the 2027 ODI World Cup just over a year away, discussions around India’s potential squad are already heating up. Legendary opener Sunil Gavaskar has shared his vision for the team, earning praise from analysts who rate his selection close to a “9/10.” His picks reflect a blend of seasoned campaigners and emerging talents, aiming to strike the right balance between experience and adaptability.

At the top of the order, Gavaskar has retained the trusted core of Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul. This batting lineup mirrors India’s Champions Trophy combination, signalling continuity and stability. Ishan Kishan also finds a place, recognized for his recent consistency and readiness for the format.

The all-round department is particularly intriguing. Gavaskar has opted for Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy as seam-bowling options, while Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja provide spin-bowling depth. Aakash Chopra, reviewing the squad, highlighted how Gavaskar’s choices offer “like-for-like replacements,” ensuring flexibility without compromising balance.

Bowling selections include Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj as spearheads, supported by Kuldeep Yadav’s wrist spin. Harshit Rana, a promising fast bowler who can contribute with the bat, adds versatility. Arshdeep Singh’s left-arm pace further diversifies the attack. Chopra rated the squad highly, calling it “very close to the team that might finally be picked.”

Meanwhile, Ravichandran Ashwin has voiced his preference for Bhuvneshwar Kumar, emphasizing his importance in South African conditions. Ashwin suggested that Kumar should be primed through domestic tournaments to ensure readiness. He also noted that decisions on players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravindra Jadeja, and Mohammed Shami could swing either way depending on form and fitness.

The broader selection debate has produced three categories:

• Confirmed picks: Gill, Rohit, Kohli, Iyer, Rahul, Kishan, Pandya, Axar, Kuldeep, Bumrah, Siraj, Rana, Bhuvneshwar.
• Probables: Jaiswal, Gaikwad, Chakravarthy, Jadeja, Reddy, Shami, Arshdeep, Prasidh Krishna.
• Excluded: Pant, Sundar, Samson, Bishnoi, Dube, and others.

India, having last won the ODI World Cup in 2011 and finishing runners-up in 2023, will enter the 2027 edition with high expectations. As current holders of the T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy, the pressure to reclaim ODI glory is immense. Gavaskar’s blueprint offers a strong foundation, but final selections will hinge on performances in the months leading up to the tournament.