Ajinkya Rahane Picks India's Five Pacers for 2027 ODI World Cup, Snubs Four Names including Shami, Bhuvneshwar

Former India captain Ajinkya Rahane has sparked a selection debate after naming his preferred five-member pace attack for the 2027 ICC Men's ODI World Cup, leaving out experienced campaigners Mohammed Shami and Harshit Rana.

Speaking in a video shared by Sony Sports Network on October 24, Rahane selected five bowlers for the Indian team for the ODI World Cup next year, and it didn't include either Shami or Rana.

The 2027 ODI World Cup will be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia from October 2 to November 21. With South African conditions traditionally offering pace and bounce, India's fast-bowling combination could play a crucial role in the team's title ambitions.

Ajinkya Rahane's Pick for World Cup 2027

Ajinkya Rahane chose Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj and Mayank Yadav as his five preferred fast bowlers for the tournament.

Mayank Yadav's Inclusion Raises Eyebrows

The most notable selection in Rahane's list is Mayank Yadav, who is yet to make his ODI debut for India. Known for his express pace, the young fast bowler has clocked speeds of 156.7 kmph and could offer India a genuine point of difference if he remains fit and gains experience in the 50-over format.

Bumrah remains the obvious leader of the attack, bringing experience across all phases of an ODI innings. Arshdeep offers a left-arm option, while Prasidh's height and ability to extract bounce could prove valuable in southern African conditions. Siraj adds experience and new-ball wicket-taking ability.

Why Mohammed Shami and Harshit Rana Miss Out

Shami's omission is particularly striking given his outstanding record at ODI World Cups. He has taken 55 wickets in the tournament's history and was India's leading wicket-taker at the 2023 edition, claiming 24 wickets in just seven matches. However, his last international appearance came at the Champions Trophy in 2025.

Rana's exclusion is another talking point. The young pacer has claimed 26 wickets in 14 ODIs and offers useful lower-order batting. His performances have strengthened his credentials, although Rahane has opted for Mayank's raw pace instead.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Gurnoor Brar were also left out of Rahane's preferred five. Brar has been a regular in limited overs for India in recent months, while Bhuvneshwar has made a return to the India side for the New Zealand T20I series.