The Indian Premier League is set to start on March 28, 2026, with an opening match of defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad in Bengaluru. As per reports, the Board of Control for Cricket in India selectors have reportedly picked 20-odd probables for the 2027 ODI World Cup, whom the committee is going to monitor during the Indian Premier League 2026.
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The selection of BCCI is led by Ajit Agarkar and all the major decisions are taken by him. To track IPL 2026, selection committee members SS Das, RP Singh, Ajay Ratra, and Pragyan Ojha are expected to attend various matches during IPL 2026. As per reports, the Indian Board has asked the selectors to prepare a tentative list of players and track their performance during the IPL.
As per Times Now the official said, “The BCCI is looking at each selector watching at least one game per week, which covers five games per week from the venue. Else obviously they can be tracked on TV.”
Reports also say that the selectors are currently focusing on the ODI World Cup 2027, not on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics or the 2028 T20 World Cup. However, they are not keeping an eye on any breakout star for the ODI World Cup.
Talking about fast bowlers, as per reports, the selectors are closely going to watch four bowlers, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, and Jasprit Bumrah. Plus, Harshit Rana’s injury is also a major concern for the selectors as they are closely monitoring his recovery.
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The squad recruitment for the ODI World Cup 2027 doesn’t mean that the selection committee is reducing its focus from the test team, as Team India is set to play a one-off test match against Afghanistan at Mullanpur, Punjab from June 6 to 10. However, it doesn’t carry any world championship points, but they are still focused.
As per reports, between August 2026 and March 2027, Team India will play around nine tests, and all top red-ball players, including the frontline bowlers, will be available for these matches. Siraj and Bumrah are likely to play the test unless there is an injury or personal commitments.
As per Times Now News, sources say, “The India Test cap isn’t for experimentation. For that, you have India A shadow tours. As of now, in Tests, Bumrah, Siraj, and Prasidh are the top three bowlers on the selectors’ radar.”
According to DNA India, veteran pacer Mohammed Shami has been excluded from the list, marking a potential shift in India’s long-term pace bowling plans.
The selection committee is going to monitor all the key players very closely for the selection of the ODI World Cup 2027.
Head Coach Gautam Gambhir Statement on Men’s ODI World Cup 2027
According to Sports NDTV, he said in an interview, “The planning for the 2027 World Cup will start after the IPL. There are 25 to 30 ODIs between IPL 2026 and the World Cup. This format is not played a lot these days. The earlier we start planning, the better it will be for us.”
He also said, “South Africa is not an easy place to play cricket. We have to figure out combinations and identify the players who are suited to the conditions. The selectors and the coaches will do that. By the time IPL 2026 ends, India will have a blueprint for the ODI World Cup 2027.”
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“My philosophy is simple – if the majority of the team members are not happy with me, there is no point in my staying in that dressing room. If the majority is happy, I am doing the right job. If you report genuinely, you will know how the atmosphere of the team is. The Indian team’s atmosphere can’t stay hidden from anybody because there is so much scrutiny, limelight, and media attention,” Gambhir added.
At last, he said, “It’s all rubbish when people say that the team atmosphere is not good. Neither the captain nor I had to say anything. If you follow us closely from travelling to practice sessions to player interviews, you will know how the atmosphere of the side is.”