Quick answer
India have not named a 2027 World Cup squad yet. The ICC usually asks for squads about a month before the event, so expect it around August–September 2027. Based on India’s most recent ODI selections (the West Indies series in September–October 2026), the core is Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj. Our full early 15 is below.
Most “India squad 2027” pages online are guesses with no reasoning. This one is different. We start from the squad India actually picked in their latest ODI series, explain every choice, and tell you exactly which spots are still open. It is a prediction, so we label it clearly as one, and we will update it after every ODI series until the real squad is out.
Where India stand right now
- Captain: Shubman Gill took over the ODI captaincy from Rohit Sharma in October 2025.
- Latest ODI squad (vs West Indies, Sept–Oct 2026): Shubman Gill (c), KL Rahul (vc), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Auqib Nabi, Naman Dhir.
- Form check: Kohli made an unbeaten hundred in the first ODI, and Rohit scored a century in the second and 92 in the third. India still lost the third game by five wickets.
- What Gill said: after that series he backed Rohit and Kohli and said India do not have much time left to experiment before the World Cup.
Several regular names were not in that squad, including Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh. Selectors often rest or manage players in home bilateral series, so their absence does not tell us they are out of World Cup plans.
Our early India 15 for World Cup 2027
| Role | Player | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Opener / captain | Shubman Gill | Captain and the anchor of the top order. |
| Opener | Rohit Sharma | Still scoring hundreds; his powerplay hitting is hard to replace. |
| No. 3 | Virat Kohli | Best ODI chaser of his era and in form in late 2026. |
| Middle order | Shreyas Iyer | Was India’s best middle-order batter at the 2023 World Cup when fit. |
| Wicketkeeper / middle order | KL Rahul | Vice-captain, keeps wicket and finishes at No. 5. |
| Seam all-rounder | Hardik Pandya | The only true pace-bowling all-rounder, if fit. |
| Spin all-rounder | Ravindra Jadeja | Still picked; a left-arm spin and fielding package. |
| Spin all-rounder | Axar Patel | Covers Jadeja’s role and adds batting depth. |
| Wrist spinner | Kuldeep Yadav | Main wicket-taker in the middle overs. |
| Fast bowler | Jasprit Bumrah | If fit, the best new-ball bowler in the world. |
| Fast bowler | Mohammed Siraj | Regular pick; the Kookaburra ball swings early in South Africa. |
| Fast bowler | Arshdeep Singh | Left-arm angle and death bowling. |
| Fast bowler | Prasidh Krishna | Height and bounce suit South African pitches. |
| Reserve opener | Yashasvi Jaiswal | Left-hander and the obvious next opener. |
| Reserve keeper / batter | Dhruv Jurel | Picked recently; covers the keeping spot. |
Just missing out: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Rishabh Pant, Harshit Rana. Any of them can play their way in with a big 2027.
Why South Africa changes India’s thinking
At home in 2023, India won by playing three spinners. South Africa is different. Pitches at the Wanderers, Centurion and Kingsmead offer more pace and bounce, and the new ball moves in the morning. Then India travel to Victoria Falls, a brand-new ground nobody has data on yet. Our view is that India will carry four specialist quicks plus Hardik and pick only two spinners for most games. That is why Prasidh Krishna gets our last seamer spot ahead of a third spinner.
The five selection battles to watch
- Rohit and Kohli’s spots. Rohit will be 40 and Kohli 39 during the tournament. Form says yes; age and fitness will be checked series by series. We break it down in Will Rohit and Kohli play the 2027 World Cup?
- Second keeper. Jurel vs Pant vs Samson. Rahul keeps wicket, so the backup only plays if something goes wrong.
- The No. 4. Shreyas Iyer if fit, otherwise a fight between Gaikwad and the younger batters.
- The fourth seamer. Prasidh vs Harshit Rana vs a new face like Gurnoor Brar or Auqib Nabi.
- Jadeja or Axar, or both? In South Africa, India may only want one finger spinner.
India’s group in 2027
India are in Group A with Australia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and a qualifier, and play Australia (7 Oct) and Pakistan (10 Oct) in their first two games. See every date in our full World Cup 2027 schedule.
Frequently asked questions
When will India announce the 2027 World Cup squad?
There is no date yet. For recent World Cups, teams named provisional squads about four to six weeks before the start, so expect August or early September 2027.
Who is India’s captain for the 2027 World Cup?
Shubman Gill is India’s ODI captain and is expected to lead. Rohit Sharma handed over the ODI captaincy in October 2025 but is still playing ODIs.
Will Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli play the 2027 World Cup?
Both are still in India’s ODI squad and scored hundreds against West Indies in 2026. Nothing is confirmed, but on current form they are in line to go.
Is Jasprit Bumrah in India’s World Cup 2027 plans?
He was not in the latest ODI squad, but no reason was given. When fit, he is almost certain to be picked.
Is this the official India squad?
No. This is our early prediction based on recent selections. We will update it as the selectors make decisions.
Sources we used
- Sunday Guardian: India ODI squad vs West Indies 2026
- News Karnataka: Gill backs Kohli and Rohit ahead of 2027 World Cup (4 Oct 2026)
- ESPN: Shubman Gill to replace Rohit Sharma as India ODI captain
- ICC: Fixture schedule announced for Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027
About this guide. Written by the T20 Cricinfo desk. Every date, venue and number on this page is checked against the ICC’s own announcements first, then major cricket media. The 15 above is our own prediction and is clearly marked as such. Squad facts come from official selections only. When the ICC changes anything, we update this page and the date below.
Last updated: 4 November 2026.
