The 2027 ODI World Cup is scheduled to begin in October in Africa, and with more than a year remaining for the tournament, India have started focusing on building the right squad combination.
While discussions around the batting lineup, especially the opening slot involving Rohit Sharma, have dominated conversations, India’s bowling department has also emerged as an area needing attention. The team’s bowling attack has looked less effective in the absence of premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah.
Amid these concerns, former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has urged the BCCI selectors to stay in touch with experienced pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar and consider bringing him back into the mix for the World Cup plans.
Speaking on Cricinfo, Ashwin said, “But where is Bhuvneshwar Kumar? He is a yes; I would communicate with him and get him to play all first-class tournaments, the Vijay Hazare Trophy, and everything. And get him in prime form before going to South Africa. I think we’ll need him.”
As the BCCI selection committee and team management begin preparing a list of probable players for the major tournament, Ashwin also shared his thoughts on players who could make the squad, those who remain in contention and those who may not be part of the plans.
The former spinner did not include several high-profile names, including Rishabh Pant, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma, among the players he believes are likely to miss out on the 2027 World Cup squad.
