India's projected 2027 ODI World Cup playing XI unveiled by former cricketers

Former Indian cricketers Waseem Jaffer and Ravichandran Ashwin each released a personal 12‑player squad for the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup on their YouTube channels. Jaffer’s lineup features Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Shami, Mohammad Siraj and Ishant Kishan as the 12th player, while veteran all‑rounder Ravindra Jadeja was omitted. Ashwin’s selection also includes Mohammad Shami and adds fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar, two Royal Challengers Bangalore players and other regulars, sparking discussion over the surprise inclusion of RCB runners‑up and the exclusion of certain established domestic performers.

Both proposals highlight ongoing debate in Indian cricket circles about the optimal balance of experience, pace, and batting depth ahead of the tournament, with fans and analysts weighing the merits of the suggested combinations and the impact of leaving out long‑serving players such as Jadeja.