MUMBAI: The ODI Cricket World Cup will begin in Africa in October next year. The BCCI selectors and team management are busy preparing a list of possible players for the World Cup.
Although the tournament is more than a year away, experts believe it is high time to start discussions about the India’s World Cup team now.
The discussion is ongoing about who should be the opening batsmen of the Indian team. The discussions started around former captain Rohit Sharma. However, names like Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Ishan Kishan are also being discussed for the opener position.
However, the experts demanded the need to test the bowling line more than the batting. Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin expressed concern about the pace attack that is solely dependent on Jasprit Bumrah. The player assessed that the pace line without Bumrah would be weak. Therefore, Ashwin requested the BCCI selectors to communicate directly with experienced fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Ashwin believes it is the responsibility of the selection committee to clarify whether Bhuvneshwar Kumar would be in their 2027 plans. Ashwin demanded that Bhuvneshwar Kumar be included in the upcoming first-class tournaments. It is essential to bring him to his best form before going to South Africa, Ashwin said.
Ashwin is pessimistic about the chances of Sanju Samson, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma making it to the World Cup squad.