Rohit Sharma watching Shubman Gill Ishan Kishan board flight for 2027 World Cup. Image Credits: ChatGPT
India’s preparation for the 2027 World Cup has already started, and the biggest discussion at the moment is around the opening combination.
Even though former captain Rohit Sharma has been selected for the upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan, questions regarding Rohit Sharma's fitness continue to grow. At 39, managing workload and staying fully fit for a long tournament remains a challenge. Therefore, the selectors are carefully exploring backup options for the future.
According to recent reports, the Indian team management is considering several opening combinations in case Rohit Sharma is unavailable for the 2027 World Cup.
Since India have only a limited number of ODI matches before the mega event, every opportunity will play an important role in finalizing the squad.
Opening Pair Combos India Could Use If Rohit Sharma Gets Out Of 2027 World Cup
Ishan Kishan And Shubman Gill
One of the most exciting opening combinations for India could be Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill if Rohit Sharma gets out of 2027 World Cup. The pair already shares good chemistry, and their left-right batting combination adds balance to the team.
Ishan Kishan has made a strong comeback into India’s ODI plans after staying away from the format since 2023. His recent performances have been highly impressive.
During IPL 2026, the wicketkeeper-batter scored 490 runs in 13 innings and displayed aggressive intent throughout the tournament. In addition, Ishan Kishan delivered a brilliant performance in the T20 World Cup, finishing as the fourth-highest run-scorer with 317 runs in nine matches at an outstanding strike rate of 193.29.
Furthermore, Ishan Kishan dominated domestic cricket as well. In the SMAT 2025, he scored 517 runs in 10 innings at a strike rate close to 200. Along with that, he also impressed in the VHT 2025-26, scoring 155 runs in three innings at a strike rate above 231.
His ODI numbers are equally strong. So far, Kishan has scored 933 runs in 27 ODIs at an average of 42.40. Moreover, he has already registered one century and seven half-centuries in the format.
On the other hand, Shubman Gill has already established himself as India’s long-term opening option. Therefore, pairing him with an attacking batter like Ishan Kishan could give India a perfect mix of aggression and stability.
The duo has already enjoyed success together. Their memorable 143-run opening partnership against the West Indies in 2023 became the highest opening stand by an Indian pair in the Caribbean. Overall, they have scored 592 runs together in 13 ODI innings.
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Shubman Gill And Ruturaj Gaikwad
Another strong opening option for India if Rohit Sharma gets out of 2027 World Cup could be the combination of Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad. Even though Gaikwad was not included in the Afghanistan ODI series, he remains firmly in contention for future ODI plans.
Ruturaj Gaikwad is known for his elegant batting style and ability to build innings under pressure. Unlike aggressive hitters, he prefers timing and placement, which often helps in maintaining balance during long ODI innings. Therefore, his partnership with Gill could provide India with a technically solid opening pair.
Ruturaj Gaikwad has already shown promise in ODI cricket. In eight innings, he has scored 228 runs and demonstrated maturity at the international level. One of his best performances came against South Africa, where he scored a brilliant 105 runs off 83 balls.
In domestic cricket, his performances have been equally impressive. During the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26, he scored 412 runs in seven innings at a strike rate of 115.04, including two centuries. Such performances continue to strengthen his case for a permanent ODI spot.
Meanwhile, Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad have already played together in international cricket and have managed to score 169 runs as an opening pair in three ODImatches. Even though the sample size is small, the partnership has shown positive signs.
Shubman Gill And Yashasvi Jaiswal
The combination of Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal could also become India’s first-choice opening pair for the future. Both players are young, fearless, and technically gifted. Therefore, many experts believe this duo could dominate world cricket for years.
Although Yashasvi Jaiswal has played only a few ODI innings so far, he has already shown his potential. In just his third ODI match, he smashed an unbeaten 116 off 121 balls against South Africa.
The left-handed batter has been in excellent form across formats. Even though he was not included in the Afghanistan ODI series, he is still expected to remain part of India’s long-term World Cup plans.
Along with that, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s aggressive mindset perfectly complements Gill’s composed batting style. As a result, the pair could provide India with explosive starts while also handling pressure situations effectively.
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