Rohit Sharma Included While Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma Miss Out in Former India Cricketer’s 2027 ODI World Cup Squad

Former India opener Abhinav Mukund has sparked an early selection debate by naming his preferred 15-member India squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup. His choices combine proven ODI performers with emerging fast bowlers, but the biggest talking points are Rohit Sharma’s inclusion and the absence of Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma. The list is Mukund’s prediction, not an official selection, yet it shows how India could balance experience, form and clearly defined roles.

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India’s 2027 ODI World Cup Squad Prediction

Mukund selected Shubman Gill as captain, with Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer forming the main batting group. KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan were chosen as wicketkeepers. The all-rounders are Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar, while Kuldeep Yadav is the specialist spinner. Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana and Gurnoor Brar complete the pace attack.

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Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya Included

Rohit’s selection is significant because questions remain about whether he will continue until the 2027 tournament. However, the veteran opener strengthened his case by scoring 138 from 110 balls against England at Lord’s in July 2026. After the innings, he rejected retirement speculation and said his focus remained on representing India and contributing to the team.

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Hardik’s inclusion is equally important for team balance. When fit, his pace bowling and power hitting allow India to add batting depth without weakening the attack. Mukund also backed Axar and Washington, giving the squad several possible combinations.

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Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma Miss Out

The exclusion of Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma is likely to attract the most discussion. Both have been part of India’s limited-overs plans, but Mukund preferred Rahul and Kishan as wicketkeeping choices and selected established ODI batters for the middle order. He also omitted Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami and Varun Chakaravarthy.

These decisions do not end anyone’s World Cup prospects. India still have time to test combinations, and performances in upcoming ODI series can change the selection picture. Mukund placed Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Shivam Dube in a “maybe” category, suggesting that several places remain open.

Gill Leads a Strong Top Order

Mukund’s choice of Shubman Gill as captain reflects India’s current ODI direction. Gill was appointed the format’s captain in October 2025 and has spoken about using each series to assess players for the World Cup. His batting form supports that role. In the ICC rankings released on July 22, 2026, Gill was second, while Kohli and Rohit were third and fourth.

Bowling Unit Built for Southern African Conditions

The 2027 World Cup will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia and will feature 14 teams. Mukund’s selection of five specialist fast bowlers appears suited to the pace and bounce often available in southern Africa. Bumrah and Siraj provide experience, while Prasidh, Harshit and Gurnoor add variety and long-term potential.

Rohit remains in the plan because of his experience and recent form, while Samson and Tilak face strong competition for limited batting positions. The final squad will ultimately depend on fitness, consistency and how effectively each player fits India’s preferred combination.

Sources

• Times of India: Abhinav Mukund selected Rohit Sharma, Gill, Kohli, Rahul, Hardik, Bumrah and Gurnoor Brar in his predicted 15-player squad.
• Sportskeeda: Mukund omitted Samson, Tilak, Jadeja, Shami and several T20 specialists while placing Jaiswal and Gaikwad in the uncertain category.
• Reuters: Rohit scored 138 from 110 balls at Lord’s and dismissed reports suggesting that he was preparing to retire.
• ICC: Gill was ranked second among ODI batters, followed by Kohli in third and Rohit in fourth on July 22, 2026.