Uthappa Picks Bold India World Cup 2027 Squad

Former India cricketer Robin Uthappa has stirred debate with his picks for India’s 2027 ODI World Cup squad, set to be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. Dubbing it his “bomb squad,” the ex-Chennai Super Kings star has left out a few established names from the current setup while making room for some unexpected inclusions, most notably a teenage prodigy and a seasoned pace veteran.

Youth Meets Experience in the Squad

Among Uthappa’s most talked-about calls is the inclusion of 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, whose rapid rise has made him one of the most closely watched young talents in Indian cricket. Alongside him, Uthappa has recalled veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, betting on his experience and skill to strengthen the bowling attack for conditions expected in Southern Africa. Behind the stumps, Sanju Samson has been preferred over Ishan Kishan as the backup wicketkeeper, a choice that could spark discussion given Kishan’s recent domestic form.

Batting Core and Bowling Balance Retained

Despite the surprises, Uthappa has stuck with several familiar faces at the top of the order. Skipper Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul all find places in the lineup, along with Rohit Sharma, whose ongoing place in the ODI setup has often been questioned in recent months. On the bowling front, Uthappa has gone with four frontline pace options — Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Siraj, and Arshdeep Singh — while naming Hardik Pandya as the squad’s sole fast-bowling all-rounder, rounding out a balanced yet daring combination for India’s title defence.