IPL 2026 to Shape India’s 2027 ODI World Cup Squad

• By Thetripurapost Desk, Mumbai
• Mar 20, 2026
• 699

The upcoming season of the Indian Premier League, commencing on March 28, is set to play a pivotal role in shaping India’s squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

According to a report by Press Trust of India (PTI), citing a source within the Board of Control for Cricket in India, the national selection committee has already shortlisted 20 players whose performances will be closely scrutinized throughout the tournament.

The selection panel, headed by Ajit Agarkar, will place significant emphasis on the players’ current form, fitness levels, and consistency during the IPL. Notably, the focus this time will remain on a pre-identified core group of ODI prospects rather than emerging or uncapped talent.

In addition, Team India is set to field a full-strength squad for the one-off Test against Afghanistan, scheduled from June 6 to 10 in Mullanpur, Punjab. Despite the match not being part of the World Test Championship cycle, the team management is treating it with utmost seriousness, especially with a demanding red-ball calendar ahead.

To ensure thorough evaluation, selectors have been assigned specific regions. Agarkar will operate from Mumbai, while SS Das will monitor matches in Kolkata. RP Singh and Ajay Ratra have been tasked with overseeing games in the NCR region, whereas Pragyan Ojha will cover fixtures in Bengaluru and Hyderabad.

Each selector is expected to attend at least one IPL match per week in person and submit detailed five-match ground reports, with additional matches assessed via broadcast.

Meanwhile, senior players are expected to feature in the Afghanistan Test, provided they remain fit through the IPL. Fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are likely to be included, reinforcing India’s intent to maintain competitive intensity even in non-championship fixtures.