India Begin 2027 ODI World Cup: India’s road to the 2027 ODI World Cup begins in earnest on Sunday when they face West Indies in the first of three ODIs in Thiruvananthapuram. The timing makes the series important: with the World Cup just over a year away, every match now carries more weight in deciding India’s combinations.
But two of India’s biggest match-winners will not be part of this ODI series. Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya are both absent from the squad, giving the management an early opportunity to test players who could be needed in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia next year.
Bumrah’s workload is becoming a major part of the plan
Bumrah remains central to India’s World Cup plans, but managing his workload will be just as important as getting him onto the field. Head coach Gautam Gambhir has said India must carefully decide how much 50-over cricket the fast bowler plays while also balancing his Test commitments.
For the West Indies ODIs, Bumrah has instead been included in India’s T20 squad for the Asian Games. His absence gives Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar and Auqib Nabi a chance to strengthen their claims in the 50-over side.
Hardik Pandya faces a different race against time
Hardik’s situation is more complicated because he needs competitive cricket before India can fully rely on him again. He has not played ODI cricket since the 2025 Champions Trophy and missed the current West Indies series.
The all-rounder is expected to return through India A’s one-day series against Australia A in October, subject to fitness clearance. That series could be particularly important because India need a player capable of contributing with both bat and ball at No. 6 or No. 7.
New names get a valuable audition
India’s current ODI squad has plenty of experience, but there are also clear opportunities for players outside the established core. Auqib Nabi has received his maiden ODI call-up, while Naman Dhir has also been included for the first time.
Ruturaj Gaikwad returns to the ODI setup, Ravindra Jadeja is back, and Nitish Kumar Reddy continues to develop as a seam-bowling all-rounder. These matches will help the selectors understand which players can handle pressure when the opposition, conditions and match situation change quickly.
The next few months could shape India’s World Cup XI
India’s schedule leaves plenty of room for experimentation. After West Indies, the team will face Sri Lanka in three ODIs in December and Zimbabwe in another three-match series in January 2027. The home season therefore gives the management several chances to settle roles before the tournament arrives.
| Series | ODIs | Timing |
| West Indies | 3 | Sep–Oct 2026 |
| Sri Lanka | 3 | Dec 2026 |
| Zimbabwe | 3 | Jan 2027 |
The bigger challenge will be finding the right balance between established stars and players being prepared for the future. India cannot afford to discover their second-choice options only when the World Cup is already underway.
FAQ
Why are Bumrah and Hardik not playing the West Indies ODIs?
Neither player is part of India’s ODI squad for the series. Bumrah has been selected for the Asian Games T20 side, while Hardik is working towards a return through India A’s one-day fixtures against Australia A, subject to fitness clearance.
Is Hardik Pandya expected to play in the 2027 World Cup?
India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir has described Hardik as extremely important to the team’s World Cup plans, but his selection will depend on fitness, workload and sufficient 50-over game time.
When does India’s 2027 ODI World Cup preparation really begin?
The West Indies ODI series marks the start of the current phase of India’s World Cup build-up. The three matches are scheduled for September 27, September 30 and October 3, 2026.
