ODI World Cup 2027 is the next mega event which India’s ODI think tank should start planning for. The World Cup will happen in South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe, and it should be the grandest sports event in African history.
The ODI World Cup 2027 is still four years away, but India will have to start planning now and change their approach quickly so that they can become the world champions. Looking at the talent pool which India has right now, here is India’s probable XI for the 2027 World Cup.
Openers – Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill
Rohit Sharma will be around 40 years old by the time the next World Cup comes. Perhaps, India will move on from him and give a chance to Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has been brilliant in 2023. Shubman Gill is just getting started and should be at his peak in 2027.
Middle Order – Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya (c), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Axar Patel and Rajvardhan Hangargekar
Virat Kohli will likely play his last World Cup in 2027. He is among the fittest players in the world and should continue batting at number three for India. Hardik Pandya will likely be the next captain of India after Rohit in ODIs.
The middle-order and all-rounders’ category should have new faces. Axar Patel should finally get to play in ODI World Cup, while Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson will be the finishers. Varma can bowl a bit as well. Since the World Cup will be in South Africa, India may prefer having another pace-bowling option in form of Rajvardhan Hangargekar.
Bowlers – Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh
Mohammed Shami will be 37 by the time the next WC arrives. It might be difficult for him to continue in ODIs. Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh should be the lead pacers, with Mohammed Siraj being the backup in the squad. Singh should get a chance because he can bring the left-arm variety. Leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi can be the lead spin bowler of the team.
