R Ashwin Names India Squad for 2027 ODI World Cup, Backs Bhuvneshwar Kumar Return
Former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has shared his preferred India squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup during a discussion on Cricinfo. Ashwin selected a core of experienced international players while advocating for the recall of veteran pace bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who has been away from India’s One Day International team since 2022. The selection discussion also saw Ashwin leave out young batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson, while placing several prominent players in an undecided list.
What Happened
Speaking on Cricinfo, Ashwin outlined his preferred players for the upcoming 50-over World Cup. In the batting division, he backed veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli alongside Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Ishan Kishan. Ashwin expressed confidence in Gill continuing as captain to lead the national team into the tournament. For the all-rounders, he selected Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel, while naming Kuldeep Yadav as his primary frontline spinner. His pace attack included Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Harshit Rana.
A notable aspect of Ashwin’s choices was his support for fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Calling Bhuvneshwar a definite pick, Ashwin suggested that the management communicate with him and prepare him through domestic tournaments, including first-class cricket and the Vijay Hazare Trophy, before India tours South Africa. Bhuvneshwar has taken 141 wickets in 121 ODIs at an average of 35.11 and an economy rate of 5.08, with best bowling figures of 5/42. Over the last two IPL seasons with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, he took 45 wickets in 30 matches at an average of 21.87 and an economy rate of 8.56 during back-to-back title wins.
Key Highlights
- Ashwin backed Shubman Gill to captain India at the 2027 ODI World Cup.
- Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were retained alongside Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Ishan Kishan.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar was backed for an ODI recall despite last playing the format in 2022.
- Sanju Samson and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi were left out of the selections.
- Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel were selected as all-rounders, with Kuldeep Yadav as frontline spinner.
- Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Harshit Rana formed the main pace battery.
Why This Matters
Ashwin’s choices highlight an emphasis on experience for key tournaments. By recommending Bhuvneshwar Kumar specifically for conditions in South Africa, Ashwin emphasized the need for proven seam movement in overseas conditions, provided the bowler gains match sharpness through domestic cricket.
What to Watch Next
It remains to be seen how team selection evolves as the 2027 tournament approaches, including whether domestic tournaments like the Vijay Hazare Trophy will be used to reintegrate veteran players.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who did Ashwin name as captain for the 2027 ODI World Cup?
Ashwin expressed confidence in Shubman Gill leading India as captain into the 2027 tournament.
Which players did Ashwin put in the undecided category?
Ashwin listed Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, and Prasidh Krishna as undecided options.
Which players were left out of Ashwin’s selection?
Wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson and young batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi were omitted from Ashwin’s preferred squad.
Source: Crictracker