Ajinkya Rahane picks India’s 5 pacers for World Cup 2027, leaves out record wicket-taker

Ajinkya Rahane’s 2027 World Cup Fast-Bowling Prediction Leaves Mohammed Shami Out

Former India batter Ajinkya Rahane has offered an early prediction of the pace attack India could take to the 2027 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup, selecting Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj and Mayank Yadav as his five fast bowlers.

The choices, shared in a video posted by Sony Sports Network on October 24, have prompted discussion because they leave out experienced campaigner Mohammed Shami. Harshit Rana and Bhuvneshwar Kumar were also absent from Rahane’s list. With the tournament still some time away, the selection is best viewed as a snapshot of Rahane’s current thinking rather than a prediction of India’s final squad.

Rahane’s five picks for the 2027 ODI World Cup

Rahane named Bumrah first, followed by Arshdeep, Prasidh, Siraj and Mayank. Explaining his choices, he said: “Pehla Bumrah, no doubt. Second Arshdeep Singh, third Prasidh Krishna, fourth Mohammed Siraj, fifth Mayank Yadav.”

Bumrah’s place at the top of the list is unsurprising. His ability to bowl accurately at high pace, deliver effective yorkers and handle pressure at the death makes him one of India’s most valuable limited-overs players. On pitches that offer bounce and carry, qualities likely to be relevant across parts of southern Africa, his skill set could be especially useful.

Siraj brings another established option. He featured in India’s 2023 ODI World Cup squad and offers the ability to attack with the new ball. Prasidh Krishna was also part of that tournament’s squad, joining as a replacement for the injured Hardik Pandya, although he did not play a match. His height and capacity to generate bounce could make him a candidate for conditions that reward extra lift.

Arshdeep offers a left-arm option

Arshdeep’s inclusion gives Rahane’s imagined attack a different angle. The left-arm seamer has taken 30 wickets in 18 ODIs, with an economy rate below six runs per over, according to the figures cited in the original report. His variation could help India avoid relying entirely on right-arm pace, while his experience in T20 cricket has also exposed him to high-pressure closing overs.

Arshdeep is already India’s leading wicket-taker in men’s T20 internationals, with 148 wickets in 101 matches. That record does not automatically guarantee success in the 50-over format, but it underlines his experience and ability to contribute regularly with the ball.

Mayank Yadav is the boldest selection

Mayank is perhaps the most speculative name in Rahane’s five. The fast bowler has yet to make his ODI debut for India, so his inclusion is a projection of potential rather than a reflection of a settled international record in the format. His pace has attracted attention, but the road to a World Cup squad would require him to demonstrate fitness, consistency and control over a longer period.

That makes Mayank’s selection a reminder of how much can change before a major tournament. India’s selectors will have to balance raw speed with workload management, availability and the ability to perform across different conditions. A promising young bowler may emerge as a serious option, but sustained performances in domestic and international cricket will matter more than reputation alone.

Why Shami’s omission is attracting attention

The most striking omission is Shami, one of India’s most successful bowlers at ODI World Cups. He was the leading wicket-taker at the 2023 tournament and has built a reputation for producing decisive spells on the biggest stage. His experience, seam movement and ability to strike in clusters would make him a natural name in any discussion of India’s future pace attack.

Shami last represented India at the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025, according to the report. His absence from Rahane’s shortlist does not necessarily mean he is out of contention for 2027. Instead, it raises questions about how selectors might weigh his experience against age, fitness and the development of younger bowlers as the event approaches.

World Cup planning is rarely a simple matter of choosing the five most accomplished names. Fast bowlers must be able to manage demanding travel schedules, recover between matches and adapt to varied pitch conditions. India’s eventual combination could also depend on whether the team needs extra pace, a left-arm option, swing with the new ball or specialist skills at the death.

Harshit Rana and Bhuvneshwar Kumar also miss out

Rahane did not include Harshit Rana, despite the young seamer being regarded as a trusted option by head coach Gautam Gambhir. Rana made his international debut during the Perth Test against Australia in November 2024 and has since represented India in all three formats. His development over the next two years could influence whether he enters the World Cup conversation.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar was another notable omission. The Uttar Pradesh bowler returned to India’s T20I side on October 6 after strong performances in recent Indian Premier League seasons, but Rahane did not select him among his five ODI prospects. His skills with the new ball have served India well in the past, though a place in a future 50-over attack would depend on his form and continued involvement in the format.

India’s 2027 World Cup schedule and tournament outlook

The 2027 ODI World Cup will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia from October 2 to November 21. The 12-team competition is scheduled to be played across 12 venues, with the final set for November 21.

India are due to open their campaign against defending champions Australia on October 7 before facing Pakistan on October 10 in Johannesburg. Those fixtures would give the tournament an immediate high-profile start for India, but the team’s preparation will involve far more than planning for two marquee opponents. Conditions, travel between host nations and the balance of the final squad are all likely to shape the campaign.

Rahane’s selection offers an engaging early prediction, particularly because it combines established performers such as Bumrah and Siraj with emerging possibilities like Mayank. Yet Shami’s omission is a reminder that World Cup selections remain fluid. Form, fitness and performances in the seasons ahead will determine whether Rahane’s five resemble India’s eventual attack—or whether experienced names and new contenders force a very different selection debate.