What Will India’s Pace Attack Look Like at 2027 ODI World Cup? Will Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar Return?

With the 2027 ICC Men's ODI World Cup on the horizon, the focus is sharply turning to India's pace attack. The team management faces a crucial balancing act: integrating the enduring experience of seasoned campaigners with the raw dynamism of a new generation. While the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj remain linchpins, questions linger over the potential return of veteran pacers Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. When Did Bhuvneshwar Kumar Last Play for India? All You Need To Know About His Last International Match.

The Veteran's Gambit: Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar Prospects

Mohammed Shami, at 36 years old as of October 8, 2026, continues to be a force, showcasing his wicket-taking prowess. His ability to maintain brisk pace and deliver early breakthroughs remains undiminished.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, also 36, recently marked a return to India's T20I setup for the October series against New Zealand, a testament to his consistent performances in the IPL for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Known for his exceptional new-ball control and swing, his T20I comeback indicates his enduring skill. However, translating that T20I form and fitness into the demands of a full ODI World Cup campaign, especially given his age and potential injury concerns in the past, will be a significant challenge.

The Current Pace Spearheads

India's current fast-bowling core is robust, led by the world-class duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.

• Jasprit Bumrah (33 years old): Widely regarded as one of cricket's all-time greatest bowlers, Bumrah has achieved the No. 1 ranking in all three formats. He was instrumental in India's 2024 T20 World Cup triumph. Despite increasing injury-related availability limitations, he remains the undeniable leader of the attack.
• Mohammed Siraj (32 years old): Siraj has evolved into India's go-to workhorse across formats, consistently delivering since Jasprit Bumrah's back surgery in 2023. He was a key component of India's 2023 Asia Cup and both the 2024 and 2026 T20 World Cup-winning squads.
• Arshdeep Singh (27 years old): The left-arm pacer has cemented his position as India's primary left-arm pace option, celebrated for his death-over prowess and yorkers. He was the joint-highest wicket-taker in the 2024 T20 World Cup and achieved the milestone of 100 T20I wickets in September 2025. His all-format credentials remain strong.

Emerging Fast-Bowling Talent

The Indian cricketing landscape is also witnessing the rise of promising young pacers, providing much-needed depth and competition for the 2027 World Cup squad.

• Harshit Rana (24 years old): Rana was India's leading ODI wicket-taker in 2025, claiming 20 wickets in 11 matches with a strong average of 25.55 and an economy rate of 6.01. He also earned a Test debut in November 2024, taking three wickets in his debut innings.
• Umran Malik (26 years old): Known for his blistering pace, Malik burst onto the scene in IPL 2022. While his form has seen fluctuations, his sheer speed remains a potent weapon if harnessed consistently.
• Mayank Yadav (24 years old): A recent inclusion in India's T20I setup for the October 2026 series against New Zealand, Yadav is viewed as a promising prospect. ICC World Cup 2027 Schedule Announced: India vs Pakistan Match on October 10; Final on November 21.
• Prasidh Krishna (30 years old): While he had a challenging 2025 in ODIs with a high economy rate, Krishna possesses wicket-taking ability and offers a tall, hit-the-deck option.
• Gurnoor Brar (26 years old): Standing tall at 6 feet 5 inches, the right-arm tall paceman made his India debut in 2026. Known for generating steep bounce and natural movement off the deck, Brar adds height and back-of-a-length threat to India's emerging pace battery.
• Anshul Kamboj (22 years old): A domestic standout, Kamboj has been highlighted as a promising talent with good line and length.

The road to the 2027 ODI World Cup is long, but India's fast-bowling resources appear to be both deep and varied. The selectors will need to carefully manage player workloads and form, ensuring the ideal blend of experience, pace, and skill to mount a strong challenge for the coveted trophy.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 08, 2026 08:30 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).