Ravichandran Ashwin suggests Bhuvneshwar Kumar for India’s 2027 ODI World Cup squad
Ashwin’s Call for Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has advocated for the inclusion of seasoned pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar in India’s squad for the ODI World Cup 2027. Ashwin believes that Kumar’s services will be crucial for the team, particularly in South Africa, where the tournament will be held. He has urged selectors to initiate communication with the bowler.
Kumar, 36, demonstrated strong form during the Indian Premier League 2026 season, where he played for the eventual champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). He finished the season as RCB’s leading wicket-taker, securing 28 scalps. Despite his recent success in the IPL, Kumar has not represented India in international cricket since November 2022, and his last ODI appearance was on January 21, 2022, against South Africa.
During a discussion on Cricinfo, Ashwin participated in a ‘Yes, No or Maybe’ segment to select players for India’s World Cup squad. He endorsed several prominent players, including Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Shubman Gill, Kuldeep Yadav, and Mohammed Siraj. However, he declined to include players such as Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, and Gurnoor Brar.
Players like Mohammed Shami, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Yashasvi Jaiswal were placed in the ‘maybe’ category. Ashwin specifically brought up Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s name, stating, “But where is Bhuvneshwar Kumar? He is a yes; I would communicate with him and get him to play all first-class tournaments, the Vijay Hazare Trophy, and everything. And get him prime going to South Africa, I think we’ll need him.”
Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s International Record and Selection Outlook
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has a notable record in One Day Internationals for India, having played 121 ODIs and taken 141 wickets. His best bowling figures stand at 5/42, with an average of 35.11 and an economy rate of 5.08. Known for his ability to generate swing and seam, he has troubled top-order batters for nearly a decade.
Kumar was part of India’s World Cup campaigns in 2015 and 2019, though he did not feature in every match. India reached the semi-finals in both tournaments. The previous edition in 2023 saw India lose in the final, similar to their performance when the World Cup was last held in South Africa in 2003. India’s World Cup titles were secured in 1983 and 2011.
Despite Ashwin’s recommendation, the current selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, has shown a preference for tall pacers. Players like Gurnoor Brar and Prasidh Krishna are anticipated to feature prominently in upcoming matches leading up to the competition, alongside established bowlers such as Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. This approach suggests that Bhuvneshwar Kumar might face challenges in securing a spot in the squad.
Details of the 2027 ODI World Cup
The ODI World Cup 2027 is scheduled to take place in October and November. The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced that 12 venues across South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe will host the 14-team tournament. This will be the 14th edition of the tournament.
The venues in South Africa include Wanderers Stadium (Johannesburg), Centurion (Tshwane), Newlands Cricket Ground (Cape Town), Kingsmead Cricket Ground (Durban), St George’s Park (Gqeberha), Mangaung Oval (Bloemfontein), Boland Park (Paarl), and Buffalo Park (KuGompo City, formerly known as East London). Zimbabwe will host matches at Harare Sports Club (Harare), Queens Sports Club (Bulawayo), and the newly constructed Fale Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium (Victoria Falls). The Namibia Cricket Ground (Windhoek) in Namibia is also among the selected venues for the event.
The tournament is set to run from October 4 to November 21, with Australia entering as the defending champions, holding a record six titles. The West Indies were the first to win and retain the trophy in 1975 and 1979, respectively. Only six nations have claimed the 13 titles awarded so far, with New Zealand being the only team to have participated in all editions without winning the trophy.
Source: hindustantimes.com
