Ravi Shastri has predicted a 15-member India squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027, scheduled for October-November 2027 in South Africa, Zimbabwe and
Namibia. The squad includes Shubman Gill as captain, alongside established players such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah. Shastri's selection has drawn detailed analysis from former India opener Aakash Chopra, who examined the composition and offered his assessment of the team's balance and potential.
Chopra shared his thoughts on the predicted squad, highlighting several selections that caught his attention. He noted that Shastri picked Yashasvi Jaiswal as an opening option and included Rishabh Pant in the middle order, describing the overall combination as a slightly different team. Chopra acknowledged Jaiswal's credentials but questioned whether certain players would make the final squad when the official selectors announce their team.
"He has picked Yashasvi Jaiswal. Very interesting choice. He has given many opening options. With KL Rahul, he has picked Rishabh Pant. This is a slightly different team he has made." Chopra said in an Instagram video.
"Jaiswal has two ODI hundreds, yes. But will he make it? This is a tough question. Pant has been treated unfairly in ODIs, let's be fair. You dropped him without playing him, but will he be part of the team now? So late, or rather so close to the World Cup? Ishan is the flavour of the month right now," he added.
Ravi Shastri's predicted India squad for 2027 ODI World Cup: Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Kuldeep Yadav.
Chopra's analysis of opening and middle-order selections
Chopra's comments highlighted the tension between Pant and Ishan Kishan in the wicketkeeper-batter role. He observed that Kishan is currently the preferred option, suggesting stronger backing for the Jharkhand captain at this stage.
Shastri's all-rounder and pace bowling strategy
Chopra was content with the fact that Shastri picked genuine all-rounders like Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, and Hardik Pandya in the side. However, the cricketer-turned-commentator wasn't too sure about Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami being included in the setup.
"He has included two left-arm spinners (all-rounders) Axar and Jadeja, along with Hardik Pandya. His team does not have a place for Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar, so he's gone with two spinners, who are experienced and proper all-rounders, makes sense." Chopra said.
"Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammad Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Kuldeep Yadav. Kuldeep, Siraj, Bumrah, no questions asked. But both Shami and Bhuvneshwar, these are very interesting choices. With Shami, Bhuvneshwar, Pant, and Jaiswal as well, this is a very interesting team. I will give this team 8/10 because I feel a team like this may not be selected, unless he becomes the selector himself. I feel a left-arm fast-bowler is missing, and it is not a likely 15," he added.
Chopra's final assessment revealed his scepticism about whether Shastri's squad would actually be chosen by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee. Despite rating the team 8 out of 10, he expressed doubt that such a combination would be selected unless Shastri himself became a selector. Chopra identified the absence of a left-arm fast-bowler as a gap in the squad composition and described it as not a likely 15-member team that would be officially announced.
