India finished runners-up in the 2023 World Cup at home. The next 50-over World Cup is scheduled to take place in southern Africa in 2027. Here, five Wisden India writers have a stab at predicting India’s squad for the showpiece event.

After rampaging through the league stage of the 2023 World Cup, India were tamed by the mighty Australians in the final of the 2023 World Cup, extending their ICC trophy drought.

While India had a decent mix of youth and experience in their World Cup squad, by the time the next one comes along, some changes will almost certainly be in order.

Abhishek Mukherjee, Wisden India Head of Content

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Prasidh Krishna

He may be 35, but fitness has never been a concern for Virat Kohli. There is likely to be one last dance, an attempt to fulfil the unfinished business of 2023. He is likely to accompanied by some from the batch of 2023, though Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, and Rinku Singh may break through.

Even if everyone is fit, Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja are likely to move away from the format by 2027. Axar Patel and Prasidh Krishna would have stepped up by then. Rishabh Pant, too, should be back to don the big gloves.

Of course, there will be some cricketers in the squad of whom the wider game has not taken notice of yet, but let us not speculate at this point.

Sarah Waris, Wisden India staff writer

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul (c), Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Rinku Singh, Mukesh Kumar, Prasidh Krishna

The biggest absence is Kohli. The head says Kohli will not stay around for another four years in the format and that 2023 was his swansong. Gaikwad, Gill and Jaiswal will battle it out for the top three, followed by Iyer and Rahul. Pant should be there, but his role will depend on how he comes back and what the India management has planned out for him.

A major bonus with this spin attack is that both Axar and Sundar are capable batters as well. With Jaiswal capable of bowling a few overs as well, India will go in with more all-rounders than they had in 2023. Rinku has an exceptional List A record already, averaging nearly 50, and he should emerge as a white-ball match-winner in the next few years.

Krishna and Mukesh complete the pace attack, along with Bumrah, the vice-captain, and Siraj. 

Naman Agarwal, Wisden India staff writer

Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Mukesh Kumar

With Rohit Sharma being 36 and Virat Kohli being 35 by the end of the 2023 World Cup, it’s improbable that they’ll be around till 2027. There’s enough top-order pedigree in Indian batting reserves to replace them as well.

The middle order trio of Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant should continue. Tilak Varma and Rinku Singh could fight for the extra middle order batter’s slot, but Tilak’s bowling abilities shall give him an edge.

In the bowling department, Ravindra Jadeja (35), Ravichandran Ashwin (37), and Mohammed Shami (33) might not make it till the next World Cup. The first two of those can be replaced by Axar Patel and Washington Sundar. Shami’s replacement will be harder to find. However, going by the current crop of fast bowlers India are investing on, Mukesh Kumar seems the likeliest to make it.

Shubham Pandey, Wisden India social media manager

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Nishant Sandhu, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishan Kishan (wk), Rinku Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Mukesh Kumar

The 2027 ODI World Cup is just four years away and I personally believe that India should retain their ODI core, with Shreyas Iyer leading the team. India have struggled with all-rounders recently, so they should focus on developing young all-rounders like Nishant Sindhu and Rajvardhan Hangargekar for the mega event in South Africa.

The bowling department seems more or less settled, with Jasprit Bumrah leading the Indian attack, along with Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Mukesh Kumar. Many people may not agree with me, but I would choose Rishabh Pant as the primary wicketkeeper over KL Rahul. For me, Pant is a game-changer and can alter the course of the game within a few overs. He can attack the opposition from ball one.

Atri Sanfui, Wisden India staff writer

Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Prasidh Krishna, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh

Rishabh Pant will likely fill the void of an aged Rohit Sharma at the top with his innovative stroke-making and gung-ho approach, which are essential in the modern game. The middle order doesn’t need a rejig as Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul are certainties, with Rinku Singh thrown in the mix.