India's 2027 ODI World Cup squad: Probables and contenders ranked for ICC tournament

India's 2027 ODI World Cup squad: Probables and contenders ranked for ICC tournament originally appeared on Cricket News .

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India are aiming to win their third men's ODI World Cup title at the 2027 tournament, with Australia starting as the defending champions.

The squad is largely established but the next 12-15 months could potentially bring a couple of major changes in the ODI setup.

Here are Cricket News' leading probables and contenders currently in the race for India's 15-man squad.

India's 2027 ODI World Cup probable squad and contenders

India's road to the 2027 ODI World Cup is beginning to take shape, but plenty can still change before the tournament in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

With Shubman Gill now at the centre of India's ODI plans. Cricket News takes a look at India's strongest probables, who still have work to do and ranks the leading contenders for the 15-man squad.

India's 2027 ODI World Cup batsmen: Probables and contenders ranked

India's selection in batting could appear mostly straightforward, but decisions and recent reports on experienced stars such as Virat Kohli and, particularly, Rohit Sharma have created an opening for debates.

1. Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill appears to be the strongest near-certain selection for India's 2027 World Cup plans as the ODI captain. He is also expected to continue opening the batting.

Gill is the most in-form batter in the Indian side. In ODIs since 2025, the Indian skipper has scored 1051 runs at an average of 65.68. His only major failure was the ODI tour of Australia in late 2025 where he managed just 43 runs in three innings.

2027 WC status: 99%

2. Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli's inclusion may not be as certain as Gill's, given ODIs are now the only international format the 37-year-old plays, but his recent performances and fitness suggest he remains firmly in India's plans at No. 3.

Since 2025, Kohli is second only to Gill in terms of form among Indian batters, scoring 1035 runs at 64.68 average in 19 innings. The Indian talisman batter began the 2025 Australia tour with back-to-back ducks but managed to end the series with an unbeaten 74.

Immediately following that tour, Kohli smashed two centuries and a fifty against South Africa. There is no question over what Kohli brings to a major tournament and he should remain firmly among India's leading World Cup probables.

2027 WC status: 92%

We’ve seen this shot before… but Virat Kohli doesn’t need to look at this one! 💪🤯🧨 #INDvSA 3rd ODI, LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/Es5XpUmR5v pic.twitter.com/XcMqixdcG3

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 6, 2025 3. KL Rahul

KL Rahul's versatility could make him one of the more valuable players in India's potential World Cup setup. He can provide flexibility in the middle order coupled with wicketkeeping cover, potentially allowing the selectors to build a more balanced squad.

With 561 runs at over 110 strike-rate and 51 average in ODIs since 2025, Rahul is a reliable batter and should make the 15-man squad. However, the wicketkeeping competition means his role cannot be taken for granted.

2027 WC status: 90%

4. Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer remains one of India's leading middle-order options (at No.4) in ODI cricket.

His experience and ability to orchestrate the middle-order batting give him a strong case. All points to the fact that he is viewed as a key part of India's preferred XI.

However, competition for middle-order places will be intense as the likes of Tilak Varma continue to emerge.

2027 WC status: 87%

5. Ishan Kishan

Ishan Kishan was back in the 2027 World Cup conversation once again after making a comeback in June 2026 during the Afghanistan series. The southpaw smashed 159 runs in three innings, including a century, in that series but managed just 15 runs in two innings during the England tour.

As a wicketkeeper-batter capable of offering an aggressive option, he gives India a profile different from Rahul's. While he is likely to make the squad, he falls short of a spot in the playing XI during a direct battle with Rahul.

There are also concerns about how the southpaw will fare, especially in bouncy, fast-bowler-friendly conditions away from home in South Africa.

2027 WC status: 85%

6. Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma is impossible to ignore when discussing India's 2027 World Cup squad.

Reports and speculation about Rohit's ODI future and fitness at 40 may have increased uncertainty about his position. However, his experience and value as an opening batter mean he cannot yet be ruled out of India's 2027 World Cup plans.

There were reports during the England tour that BCCI selectors had decided to move on from Rohit. Speculation was constant about whether he would retire following the series, but the veteran remains in the plans; however, he is not an automatic selection given the rumours over the past few months.

2027 WC status: 75%

ROHIT DESTR0Y'S ENGLAND! Rohit Sharma 100 in 56 Balls vs England | Ball by Ball Highlights pic.twitter.com/Zj4vkRIa2u

— CHETAN™ (@MalusareChetanS) August 10, 2026 7. Tilak Varma

Tilak Varma remains one of the younger batters capable of forcing his way into the World Cup conversation.

An August 2026 report quoted by the Times of India claimed that head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Gill felt a lack of backup options in the middle order.

"With Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy being prone to injuries, they want someone in the top order who can at least chip in with four overs in an ODI," a BCCI source reportedly said. 'The team has to be prepared for conditions in South Africa in the World Cup. Iyer got injured in Australia, and his game against pace and bounce is untested of late."

"The fielding of the team has suffered due to fitn...

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