Ravi Shastri Picks India’s 2027 World Cup Squad; Drops Gambhir’s 2 Most Backed Players

Ravi Shastri and Gautam Gambhir [Source: AFP]

With the 2027 ODI World Cup fast approaching, the race for a place in India’s squad is set to become fiercer than ever. The ‘Men in Blue’, however, recently suffered a shock ODI series defeat in England under the leadership of Shubman Gill. 

With a penchant of over-experimenting with the team’s composition, the Gautam Gambhir-led Indian team management has coped much criticism off late from fans and cricket experts. In light of the recent events and with 2027 World Cup on the horizon, former coach Ravi Shastri just named his strongest Team India squad for the showpiece event next year.

Much to everyone’s surprise, Shastri excluded two of current coach’s most backed players.

Ravi Shastri drops Gautam Gambhir’s most trusted all-rounders

While speaking on Sports Tak, former Indian coach and veteran commentator Ravi Shastri was asked to name his best possible Team India squad for next year’s 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Much to everyone’s surprise, former Indian cricketer excluded Washington Sundar and Harshit Rana from his 15-player group. It is worth noting that the two all-rounders also happen to be highly favored by current Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir. 

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Rana made his all-format debuts for India in the space of just two-and-a-half-months last year, all during Gambhir’s tenure.

By excluding both Washington Sundar and Harshit Rana, Ravi Shastri decided to include seasoned all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and out-of-favour fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar instead.  

Shastri brings back champion pacer, names formidable batting line-up

Both Ravindra Jadeja and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have been sidelined by the Indian team management off late, despite holding some elite experience in international cricket.

While Jadeja was excluded from India’s ODI tour of England, RCB’s title-winning hero Bhuvneshwar last played any form of international cricket nearly four years ago. 

Ravi Shastri not only brought the two senior pros back into the Indian line-up for his makeshift World Cup 2027 squad, but also recalled champion and forgotten Indian pacer Mohammed Shami for the showpiece event. 

Ace spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who has played just one ODI in India’s last six 50-overs matches under Gautam Gambhir, has also been favored by Shastri for his past heroics in South African conditions. 

The 15-player group picked by the former coach also boasts of a formidable batting line-up with the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma Rishabh Pant, Yashasvi Jaiswal among others. Here is a look at Shastri’s best Indian pick for the 2027 World Cup.

Shastri’s India squad for World Cup 2027: Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami and Kuldeep Yadav.  

Ravi Shastri opts for experience, goes against Gambhir’s experimentation

Amid constant experimentation and players shuffling in Team India squads by the Gautam Gambhir-led Indian management, commentator Ravi Shastri has opted to go with experience for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup. 

Shastri's selection suggests a clear preference for proven match-winners and seasoned campaigners over players who are still establishing themselves in the ODI format. 

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