Ashwin Picks India ODI World Cup 2027 Squad: With the ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2027 less than a year away, discussions around India's ideal squad have already begun. Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has now added fuel to the debate by revealing the players he believes should—and should not—be part of India's squad for the global tournament in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

Ashwin's predicted squad has generated massive discussion among cricket fans after he left out several high-profile names, including Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Mohammed Shami, and Washington Sundar. At the same time, the veteran spinner made a surprising case for the return of experienced pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, despite the fast bowler not featuring in an ODI for India since 2022.

His selections have raised questions about India's strategy for the 50-over World Cup and highlighted the importance of experience alongside emerging talent.

Ashwin Leaves Out Pant, Samson and Shami

One of the biggest talking points from Ashwin's squad prediction is the omission of several established Indian stars.

According to the former spinner, Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Mohammed Shami, and Washington Sundar should not be included in India's final squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Pant and Samson have been among India's leading wicketkeeper-batters in recent years, while Shami has been one of India's most successful fast bowlers in ICC tournaments. Their exclusion immediately sparked debate across the cricketing community.

Ashwin also believes that several promising youngsters may miss out despite their impressive performances in domestic cricket and franchise leagues.

Young Talents Also Miss Ashwin's Cut

Apart from senior players, Ashwin excluded several rising stars from his preferred World Cup squad.

The players he feels are unlikely to make the final team include:

• Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
• Abhishek Sharma
• Shivam Dube
• Gurnoor Brar
• Prince Yadav
• Ravi Bishnoi

Although these players have shown significant promise, Ashwin believes the competition for places will be extremely intense, making selection difficult.

Players in the 'Maybe' Category

Ashwin did not completely rule out several prominent cricketers but instead placed them in a "maybe" category.

These players include:

• Yashasvi Jaiswal
• Ruturaj Gaikwad
• Ravindra Jadeja
• Nitish Kumar Reddy
• Arshdeep Singh
• Prasidh Krishna

Their selection, according to Ashwin, could depend on form, fitness, and performances over the next year leading up to the World Cup.

Ashwin's Core India Squad for ODI World Cup 2027

While leaving out several notable names, Ashwin backed a strong core group that he believes should definitely travel to the World Cup.

His preferred players include:

• Rohit Sharma
• Shubman Gill
• Virat Kohli
• Shreyas Iyer
• KL Rahul
• Ishan Kishan
• Hardik Pandya
• Axar Patel
• Kuldeep Yadav
• Jasprit Bumrah
• Mohammed Siraj
• Harshit Rana

Ashwin also sees Ishan Kishan as the ideal second wicketkeeper-batter in the squad, preferring him over both Pant and Samson.

The selection reflects a blend of experienced campaigners and younger players who have impressed in recent international cricket.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar Gets Ashwin's Full Support

Perhaps the biggest surprise in Ashwin's squad is the inclusion of Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

The experienced fast bowler has not represented India in One-Day Internationals since January 21, 2022, and many believed his international career was effectively over.

However, Ashwin feels Bhuvneshwar's experience could prove invaluable on South African pitches.

Speaking during a video shared by Cricinfo, Ashwin said:

"Bhuvneshwar Kumar is a yes. I would communicate to him, get him to play all the tournaments—first-class cricket, the Vijay Hazare Trophy, everything—and get him primed going to South Africa. I think we would need him there."

His comments underline the value he places on experienced swing bowlers in overseas conditions.

Why Bhuvneshwar Could Still Be an Asset

Although Bhuvneshwar has been away from international cricket for several years, his domestic and IPL performances suggest he still has plenty to offer.

The 36-year-old made his ODI debut against Pakistan in January 2013 and has since represented India in 121 One-Day Internationals, claiming 141 wickets.

His ability to swing the new ball, maintain accuracy, and deliver under pressure has made him one of India's most reliable white-ball bowlers over the past decade.

Outstanding IPL 2026 Season

Ashwin's faith in Bhuvneshwar is also backed by the pacer's impressive IPL form.

Representing Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL 2026 season, Bhuvneshwar enjoyed one of the best campaigns of his career.

He picked up 28 wickets in 16 matches, finishing as the tournament's second-highest wicket-taker.

His consistent performances played a crucial role in helping Royal Challengers Bengaluru successfully defend their IPL title, proving he still possesses the skills required to compete at the highest level.

That remarkable season has reignited conversations about a possible return to India's ODI setup.

What Ashwin's Selections Reveal

Ashwin's squad reflects a clear preference for players with proven experience in ICC tournaments.

Rather than selecting squads purely on recent hype, he has backed cricketers who have consistently delivered under pressure in major international events.

His selections also suggest that experience in overseas conditions, especially in South Africa, will be vital for India's World Cup campaign.

At the same time, his willingness to overlook established stars such as Pant, Samson and Shami demonstrates just how competitive India's player pool has become.

Can India Win the ODI World Cup 2027?

India will enter the 2027 World Cup as one of the favourites, regardless of the final squad selected.

The team already possesses a strong batting core featuring Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill and KL Rahul, while Jasprit Bumrah continues to lead one of the world's best pace attacks.

The emergence of younger talents such as Harshit Rana also provides additional depth.

However, the final squad will depend on player form, fitness, injuries and performances in bilateral series over the next several months.

Final Thoughts

Ravichandran Ashwin's predicted India squad for the ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2027 has certainly sparked plenty of debate. His bold decision to leave out Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Mohammed Shami and Washington Sundar while backing the return of veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar highlights a strong belief in experience and adaptability.

Whether India's selectors agree with Ashwin remains to be seen, but his comments have added another fascinating chapter to the ongoing discussion about India's preparations for cricket's biggest 50-over tournament.

With the World Cup fast approaching, every bilateral series, domestic tournament and IPL performance could play a crucial role in shaping India's final squad.

Ankaj Jha

Author at ICC Cricket Schedule

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