Ravi Ashwin backs Bhuvneshwar Kumar for India's 2027 ODI World Cup squad

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Former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has advocated for veteran speedster Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s inclusion in India’s squad for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup, set to take place across South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

Bhuvneshwar last played for India in late 2022. Having turned 36, the selectors previously sidelined him due to recurrent injuries and age factors. If selected for the 2027 tournament, the swing specialist would be 37 and the most experienced pacer in the squad.

Speaking in a video uploaded on ESPNCricinfo’s YouTube channel, Ashwin backed the veteran’s inclusion:

“Bhuvneshwar Kumar is a yes. I would communicate to him. Get him to play all the tournaments, first-class, Vijay Hazare, everything, and get him primed going to South Africa. I think we will need him there.”

Bhuvneshwar holds a solid track record in South Africa, capturing 19 wickets across 13 matches in all formats. His call-up proposal follows a standout season with two-time defending IPL champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), where he finished as the second-highest wicket-taker with 28 wickets at an average of 17.89 and an economy rate of 7.95. Over his ODI career, he has claimed 141 wickets in 121 games.

Key selections and exclusions in Ashwin’s preferred 15

In addition to Bhuvneshwar, Ashwin gave his approval to stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, alongside core figures Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, ODI captain Shubman Gill, Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah.

He also included fast bowler Harshit Rana, praising his height, pace, and lower-order batting for South African pitches, and wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan. Kuldeep Yadav was picked as the lead spinner, with Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Bhuvneshwar forming the frontline seam attack.

Ashwin remained undecided on several players, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh, and Prasidh Krishna. Conversely, he omitted Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Ravi Bishnoi, Shivam Dube, Prince Yadav, and Gurnoor Brar from his ideal lineup.

India will be the favourites to win the ODI World Cup 2027 in South Africa after finishing runners-up at home in 2023. The South Africa World Cup will begin in November next year.

(With inputs from ANI)

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