Former Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane has picked his five fast bowlers for the ICC ODI World Cup 2027, which will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia from October 2 to November 21. Ajinkya Rahane picked Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna in his list, but he left out experienced pacer Mohammed Shami.

Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir’s preferred bowler Harshit Rana has also not made it to Rahane’s list. However, the biggest surprise is the omission of Shami, who has been one of India's most successful bowlers in ODI World Cup history. Earlier, Virat Kohli was snubbed as Ajinkya Rahane picked himself in the all-time India Test XI.

Ajinkya Rahane picks five fast bowlers for ICC ODI World Cup 2027

Ajinkya Rahane has picked his five fast bowlers for the ICC ODI World Cup 2027 in a video posted by Sony Sports on Saturday, October 24. Jasprit Bumrah was his first pick, followed by Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, and Mayank Yadav.

Rahane said in a video posted by Sony Sports on Saturday, "Pehla Bumrah, no doubt. Second Arshdeep Singh, third Prasidh Krishna, fourth Mohammed Siraj, fifth Mayank Yadav.”

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Bumrah and Siraj were part of India's squad for the 2023 ODI World Cup. Prasidh Krishna was also added to the team as a replacement for the injured Hardik Pandya, but he did not get a chance to play a match as Mohammed Shami came into the playing XI.

Arshdeep Singh has already played 18 ODIs for India, and the left-arm pacer scalped 30 wickets at an impressive economy rate of under 6. He is already India's highest wicket-taker in T20Is, with 148 wickets in 101 games. However, Mayank Yadav is yet to make his ODI debut for India.

Mohammed Shami, Harshit Rana, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar left out

The biggest talking point was the absence of Mohammed Shami. The experienced pacer is India's highest wicket-taker in ODI World Cup history. He also finished as the leading wicket-taker in the 2023 ODI World Cup. However, Shami last played for India during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Ajinkya Rahane also did not pick Harshit Rana, despite the young fast bowler being one of head coach Gautam Gambhir's trusted players. Rana made his international debut during the Perth Test against Australia in November 2024. Since then, he has represented India in all three formats.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar was another big name missing from Rahane's list. The Uttar Pradesh fast bowler returned to India's T20I side on October 6 after performing well in the last two editions of the IPL. Rahane did not include his former teammate among his five pacers for the ICC ODI World Cup 2027. Amid this, Mohammad Azharuddin makes a Test demand for Tilak Varma after Christchurch heroics.

India to face Australia in the ICC ODI World Cup 2027 opener

India will begin their 2027 ODI World Cup campaign against defending champions Australia on October 7. The Men in Blue will then face archrivals Pakistan on October 10 in Johannesburg.

The 12-team tournament will be played across 12 venues in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, with the final scheduled for November 21.