BCCI reportedly shortlists 20-odd probables for 2027 ODI World Cup; IPL 2026 to serve as key scouting ground

With the ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2027 approaching, the BCCI Men's Selection Committee has identified a core group of around 20 players, focusing on experienced cricketers.

Kohli and Rohit will play together again in ODIs for India during the Afghanistan series, which is set to take place in June.

With the ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2027 nearly one year away, the BCCI Men's Selection Committee has reportedly already narrowed down a core group of approximately 20 players for the tournament. According to a report by PTI, the selectors will use the upcoming IPL 2026 season, starting on March 28, to observe the fitness and form of these selected cricketers.

The selection roadmap

The selection panel, which includes former cricketers SS Das, RP Singh, Ajay Ratra, and Pragyan Ojha, will be physically present at stadiums during the Indian Premier League 2026 to watch at least one game per week. This will ensure that at least five matches are covered from the venue by the selectors while they track others via television.

Interestingly, the report suggests that the board is taking a "tunnel-vision" mode. They will strictly focus on the ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2027, with the selectors unlikely to look ahead to the LA Olympics or the T20 World Cup 2028 before the ODI World Cup 2027.

After losing in the final in 2023, the BCCI want to ensure that the preparation for the World Cup is at its peak when the tournament arrives next year. That is another reason why the BCCI and its selection panel do not want to look for any breakout or new stars for the ODI World Cup 2027. Instead, they will only track the experienced players of the ODI format.

Read also: IPL 2026: KKR set for high-octane intra-squad match to get ready for the season.

Key players under the scanner

While the full list remains secret, several names have emerged as certainties for the radar.

Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Arshdeep Singh will be among the pacers on that list, along with all-rounder Hardik Pandya.

Harshit Rana is expected to be tracked once he recovers from his recent knee injury. Meanwhile, batters like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and KL Rahul will continue to be among the main forces of the team alongside captain Shubman Gill. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, and Ruturaj Gaikwad will have to ensure top performance to break into the squad for the mega event.

Read also: IPL 2026 jersey guide: Where to buy jersey of each team, prices, and new kit designs.

No experimentation for Afghanistan Test

The report also clarified India's red-ball strategy. Of late, India has not performed well in the Test format, losing Test series at home against teams like New Zealand. That's why they don't want to take any chances with any of the forthcoming Test matches of the Men in Blue.

Despite the one-off Test against Afghanistan (June 6–10 at Mullanpur) not presenting World Test Championship (WTC) points, the BCCI is not interested in treating it as an experimental fixture.

"The India Test cap isn't for experimentation. For that, you have India A shadow tours," a BCCI source told PTI.

This means fans can expect a full-strength squad against the Afghans, including Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, provided they return from the IPL without fitness issues. In this case, Aquib Nabi, who has been the best performer in domestic cricket in the last two seasons, might have to wait a bit longer to earn his Test cap.

With nine Tests scheduled between August and March, the committee aims to sustain extreme consistency in the longest format.

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