Road to World Cup 2027: What India needs to fix?

• Shubman Gill leads India's ODI build-up for the 2027 World Cup
• Middle-order roles and pace-bowling depth remain key concerns
• Players like Anshul Kamboj are testing their place in the squad

With less than a year remaining before the 2027 ODI World Cup, India’s preparations have entered an important phase. Shubman Gill’s side has a strong batting core, experienced match-winners and several

young players looking to establish themselves. There are still a few positions that need to be settled before the team travels to South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia for the tournament.

India have already started treating their bilateral ODI assignments as part of the World Cup build-up. The three-match series against West Indies was followed by a five-match tour of New Zealand, giving the team opportunities to assess its combinations in different conditions. Gill has also made it clear that the team wants to identify its core group rather than continue experimenting until the final stages of preparation.

Finding the right middle-order combination

India’s top order looks relatively settled, with Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer providing a combination of experience and consistency. The bigger question are the positions that follow them.

KL Rahul remains an important option in the middle order, particularly because of his ability to bat in different situations and keep wickets. However, India need to decide whether he is best suited at No. 5 or whether another batter should take that position.

Axar Patel also provides flexibility and his ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes him valuable, but India must determine how to use him depending on the match situation. The team will also need to assess players such as Nitish Kumar Reddy and Naman Dhir, who could compete for middle-order and all-rounder roles.

Hardik Pandya’s availability is another important factor. His ability to provide finishing power and complete his quota of overs gives India a balance that is difficult to replicate. Without a reliable pace-bowling all-rounder, the team could be forced to make compromises elsewhere in the playing XI.

India’s pace-bowling worries

The bowling attack is arguably one of the biggest areas India need to address before the tournament. Jasprit Bumrah remains the leading option, but his workload and availability will be important considerations. Mohammed Siraj offers experience, while Arshdeep Singh provides left-arm variety.

Apart from those established options, India are still looking at their resources. Prasidh Krishna’s hamstring injury ruled him out of the New Zealand series, while bowlers such as Gurnoor Brar, Anshul Kamboj and Auqib Nabi have opportunities to make their case.

The opening ODI against New Zealand offered some encouragement. India bowled the hosts out for 185 in 40.2 overs, with Arshdeep Singh taking four wickets, Gurnoor Brar picking up three and Kamboj returning figures of 2/22 from his 10 overs. Kamboj was named Player of the Match as India won by five wickets under the DLS method. India need to identify at least three dependable fast bowlers, along with suitable backup options, before the World Cup.