Retired Team India cricketer Wasim Jaffer has put forward his clear and experience-heavy blueprint for India’s 2027 ODI World Cup campaign. The former opener’s preferred XI keeps several of the modern senior players in place and places Shubman Gill at the centre of the transition as captain.
Jaffer’s selection triggered the kind of debate that follows any World Cup prediction. His lineup leans heavily on players who deliver for India in the 50-over format, while still leaving space for a captaincy reset under Gill. The result is a side that looks built for control and improved stability ahead of another competitive campaign.
Shubman Gill (No. 1)
Shubman Gill is at the heart of Jaffer’s XI as team captain and opening batter. Jaffer backed Gill to lead India into the tournament, as he believes the current skipper is already shaping into the long-term ODI leader. Gill is not only a top-order batter but also the central voice of the side in Jaffer’s view.
Rohit Sharma (No. 2)
Jaffer kept veteran batsman and former captain Rohit Sharma in the XI. Wasim believes Sharma’s experience will prove vital to Team India’s ODI World Cup campaign next year. Rohit’s presence at the top order offers proven white-ball pedigree and knowledge of the tournament. Jaffer believes India would still benefit from the stability Sharma provides in 2027.
Virat Kohli (No. 3)
Virat Kohli sits at No. 3 in Jaffer’s XI in an unsurprising selection from the player-turned-coach . Kohli is a talented anchor batter who can control innings with relative comfort. The veteran batsman can absorb pressure when under fire and then shift gears towards accumulating runs when needed. Jaffer’s team uses Kohli in the exact role where he has done some of his most reliable ODI work.
Shreyas Iyer (No. 4)
Shreyas Iyer is Jaffer’s pick for No. 4 to mark one of his most important calls in the XI. The fourth position usually decides whether an ODI side can convert a strong start into a match-winning total. Jaffer went for a batter who can handle both rebuilding and acceleration.
KL Rahul (Wicketkeeper)
KL Rahul takes the wicketkeeping gloves in Jaffer’s XI to add balance in a strong lineup for the Men in Blue. His presence in the middle order gives India a batter who can either steady a wobble or build a finish based on the match situation. Jaffer’s lineup uses Rahul as a flexible bridge between the top order and the all-rounders down the order.
Hardik Pandya (Pace Bowling All-Rounder)
Hardik Pandya is Jaffer’s pace-bowling all-rounder based on his versatile gameplay. Jaffer believes Panda could be a dual-purpose weapon in the team’s 50-over contingent. An all-rounder of Hardik’s type can change the shape of a XI with his batting depth. He can also ensure the team doesn’t lose bowling quality further down the innings with pace support.
Axar Patel (Spin Bowling All-Rounder)
Axar Patel is the other all-rounder in Jaffer’s XI, and the player fills an important role in his selection. Wasim picked Patel as the spin-bowling all-rounder to give India batting depth and a different angle with the ball. The balance Patel provides is valuable in tournaments where conditions can change from one venue to another.
Kuldeep Yadav (Spin Bowler)
Kuldeep Yadav is Jaffer’s first-choice wrist-spinner in a lineup stacked with top-level batting depth. Wrist spin often brings wicket-taking threat through the middle overs against opposition teams. Jaffer’s XI aims to use Kuldeep as the main attacking spinner rather than a defensive option.
Bumrah, Shami and Siraj (Specialist Pacers)
Jaffer’s pace attack is built around star players like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj. That trio is a major part of his XI because it sends a strong message. Wasim clearly wants India’s World Cup attack to be led by bowlers with big-match pedigree and clear roles.
BONUS: Retired Cricketer Agrees with “Irreplaceable” Jaffer Selection
Ex-Team India cricketer Aakash Chopra wholly agrees with Wasim Jaffer’s top order selections ahead of the team’s CWC 2027 campaign. The retired batter believes veteran Rohit Sharma is untouchable after his recent heroics during the UK tour:
“As long as Rohit Sharma is fit, available, and scoring runs, he remains irreplaceable. We are talking about sheer pedigree and legacy here. You do not need to look anywhere else in ODI cricket right now. We should not forget that the next World Cup is in South Africa, where conditions demand experienced heads who have been there, done that, and delivered under pressure,” the commentator said.
