The recently concluded ODI series against New Zealand marked India’s first assignment, where they picked the 15-member list who are in their World Cup plans. However, the Men in Blue were far from playing their best game despite winning the series 3-1.
The Gautam Gambhir-led coaching staff and selectors need to regroup and rethink their ODI World Cup plans. There are players who have been underwhelming and might be out of the 2027 World Cup plans.
Therefore, this article will shed light on Indian Players who could be out of the 2027 World Cup plans after failures in New Zealand ODIs.
1. Kuldeep Yadav
Criteria
2025
2026
Innings
11
8
Wickets
19
10
Average
29
46.40
(Kuldeep Yadav's ODI Stats in 2025 vs 2026)
Kuldeep Yadav is one name that many fear won’t be part of India’s ODI World Cup plans. The left-arm wrist spinner played just a solitary ODI in the New Zealand series and leaked 73 runs in 8 overs.
Further, if we compare Kuldeep Yadav’s performance, he has seen a drastic dip in his game. In 2025, the LSG star took 19 wickets in 11 games, averaging 29. In 2026, he has just 10 scalps to his name in 8 matches, averaging 46.40.
Now, Kuldeep is behind in the pecking order when it comes to opportunities in SENA Nations. Since the World Cup is in South Africa, it also makes his chances difficult. Recently, Yadav, who was part of the Test series against New Zealand, was pulled out of the series, getting replaced by Gurnoor Brar.
Ruturaj Gaikwad has been unlucky when it comes to opportunities with the Indian team. Before the New Zealand series, Gaikwad played just 12 matches for India, scoring 329 runs and averaging 36 with the bat.
However, for New Zealand series, he was promoted to open the innings in Gill’s absence. Gaikwad failed to seize the opportunity and scored just 23 runs in 2 innings. Now it looks like India might revert to Yashasvi Jaiswal as their 3rd choice opener.
3. Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma has again created problems for himself. Earlier, there were reports that Ajit Agarkar wants Yashasvi Jaiswal to open the innings with Shubman Gill for the ODI World Cup, which put Rohit under a lot of stress.
A change in the selection committee came as a sigh of relief for the Hitman. However, the 39-year-old failed to make a mark in New Zealand and scored just 30 runs in 4 innings, reigniting the debate over his place in the team.
If the Hitman does not get runs under his belt, then Rohit Sharma might actually lose his place in the Indian team.
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Rohit Sharma for India - (Source: AFP)
