‘You Can’t Ignore Experience…’: Ravichandran Ashwin Names Two Veteran Pacers Who Could Still Make India’s 2027 World Cup Squad

With the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup still more than a year away, conversations around India’s probable squad have already begun. Every strong performance, injury setback, or tactical decision is being viewed through the lens of the global tournament. Adding fresh fuel to the debate, former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has shared his thoughts on which experienced fast bowlers could still play a crucial role for the national team despite growing competition from younger stars.

Speaking during a recent discussion on India’s World Cup prospects, Ashwin stressed that experience remains one of the biggest assets in a high-pressure tournament. While several young pacers have impressed in recent years, he believes that proven campaigners should not be written off simply because of their age.

According to Ashwin, Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah are the two veteran fast bowlers who could still be valuable options for India at the 2027 ODI World Cup, provided they remain fit and continue performing consistently.

The former spinner pointed out that major ICC tournaments often demand composure as much as raw pace. Having bowlers who have already succeeded on the biggest stage can make a significant difference in knockout matches where pressure is at its highest.

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Experience Still Matters

Over the past few seasons, India’s pace attack has evolved rapidly with several emerging bowlers making their mark. However, Ashwin feels that replacing experience entirely with youth could be a risky approach.

Jasprit Bumrah has consistently been India’s pace spearhead across all formats, while Mohammed Shami has delivered match-winning performances in multiple ICC tournaments. Their ability to perform under pressure, read match situations, and execute plans against world-class batters gives them an edge that statistics alone cannot measure.

Ashwin suggested that if both bowlers remain injury-free, they deserve serious consideration for the World Cup despite the selectors having several younger alternatives to evaluate over the next year.

Selection Battle Set to Intensify

India’s selectors are expected to closely monitor the performances of established stars alongside emerging fast bowlers in bilateral series and ICC events leading up to 2027. Fitness, workload management, and consistency will likely become the biggest factors in determining the final squad.

With several talented pacers competing for limited spots, the road to the World Cup is expected to be highly competitive. Yet, Ashwin’s remarks serve as a reminder that championship-winning teams often strike the right balance between youthful energy and experienced leadership.

As preparations gather pace, discussions surrounding India’s bowling attack are only expected to become more intense, and Ashwin’s endorsement of Bumrah and Shami has added another intriguing layer to an already fascinating selection race.