With the next ODI World Cup cycle building toward 2027, India’s squad planning is already well underway, and a handful of players will determine how strong that squad looks.
The Senior Core
Shubman Gill’s rise to the top of the ICC ODI batting rankings multiple times in 2026 has made him the clear anchor of India’s ODI plans, both as captain and leading run-scorer. Alongside him, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, both now focused solely on the 50-over format after stepping back from T20Is and Tests respectively, continue chasing significant milestones detailed in our feature on cricket records that could be broken in 2026.
The Bowling Attack
- Jasprit Bumrah, the world’s top-ranked Test bowler, remains central to India’s plans across formats when fit
- Kuldeep Yadav continues to climb the rankings on the back of consistent match-winning spells
- Arshdeep Singh has steadily built his ODI numbers, rising sharply in the rankings after India’s series against Afghanistan
The Next Wave
Behind the established names, a group of younger players is pushing hard for opportunities, a trend covered in more depth in our piece on young Indian cricketers who could become the next superstars. Selectors have made clear they want fresh legs and bench depth tested well before 2027 arrives.
Why the Next Twelve Months Matter
Every series between now and the World Cup, including the stretch outlined in our international cricket calendar for 2026-27, effectively doubles as an audition. How this group performs across the current West Indies and Sri Lanka series will shape the squad that eventually travels to defend India’s white-ball credentials on the world stage.