Former India captain Ajinkya Rahane has shared his thoughts on India’s fast-bowling options for the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2027, with his selection sparking discussion among cricket fans. With the tournament set to take place in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, India’s pace attack will be a crucial factor in determining the team’s chances of lifting the trophy.
India have several options in their pace department, but the challenge will be identifying the right combination for conditions expected to offer bounce, movement and opportunities for fast bowlers.
Ajinkya Rahane’s top five Indian pacers for the 2027 World Cup
1. Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah was Rahane’s first pick, and it is easy to understand why. The right-arm fast bowler has established himself as one of the world’s leading pacers through his accuracy, unusual action and ability to deliver in high-pressure situations.
Bumrah can make an impact with the new ball, control the scoring rate during the middle overs and execute yorkers at the death. His experience in major ICC tournaments makes him an important option for India in a competition where small moments can determine a team’s progress.
If he remains fit and manages his workload effectively, Bumrah is likely to be central to India’s plans for the 2027 World Cup.
2. Arshdeep Singh
Arshdeep Singh offers something different from India’s right-arm fast bowlers. His left-arm angle can trouble right-handed batters, while his ability to swing the new ball provides an additional option during the powerplay.
Arshdeep has also developed a reputation for delivering under pressure in T20 cricket, particularly through his yorkers and changes of pace. Although his international reputation has largely been built in the shortest format, regular opportunities in ODI cricket could help him strengthen his case for a World Cup place.
His inclusion would give India greater variety and allow the captain to experiment with different bowling combinations.
3. Mohammed Siraj
Mohammed Siraj is another experienced option in Rahane’s preferred group. Known for his aggressive approach and ability to generate seam movement, Siraj can be particularly effective when conditions assist fast bowling.
He has played an important role in India’s international bowling attack and has experience performing in challenging overseas conditions. His ability to maintain pressure and search for wickets makes him a useful option across different phases of an ODI innings.
Also READ: Former India chief selector explains why Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma should play ODI World Cup 2027
Consistency will be crucial as Siraj competes for a place in India’s final squad. Strong performances in the lead-up to the tournament would strengthen his position.
4. Prasidh Krishna
Prasidh Krishna brings a different skill set to India’s pace attack. His height allows him to extract extra bounce, while his ability to hit hard lengths can make life difficult for batters attempting to settle at the crease.
Those qualities could prove useful in South Africa, where some pitches offer pace and bounce. Prasidh has already represented India in ODI cricket, giving him experience in the format.
However, fitness and consistent performances will be important as he competes with other pacers for selection. If he finds rhythm and stays available, his ability to generate bounce could provide India with a valuable alternative.
5. Mayank Yadav
Mayank Yadav is perhaps the most intriguing name on Rahane’s list. The tearaway fast bowler came into the spotlight through his impressive pace in the IPL, where his ability to regularly bowl at high speeds made him one of the competition’s most exciting prospects.
Mayank has played 11 T20 internationals for India but is yet to make his ODI debut. His inclusion in Rahane’s preferred group suggests that the former India batter sees potential in his raw pace and ability to unsettle batters.
However, fast bowling at the international level requires more than speed alone. Mayank will need to maintain his fitness, develop consistency and demonstrate that he can adapt to the demands of 50-over cricket.
If he progresses well, his pace could offer India an exciting option for the 2027 tournament.
Also READ: 10 greatest cricketers who never won an ODI World Cup
