Ashwin stated that Bumrah is the only fast bowler completely locked into India's plans for World Cup.
Legendary spinner Ravichandran Ashwin recently shared his assessment of India's fast-bowling contenders for the 2027 ODI World Cup, slated to be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia from October 2 to November 21.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin stated that Bumrah is the only fast bowler completely locked into India's plans for the quadrennial event.
Despite praising Siraj's experience, Ashwin expressed doubt about whether he is guaranteed a spot due to his limited ODI appearances leading up to the tournament.
Comparing the two tall pacers Prasidh Krishna and Gurnoor Brar, Ashwin opined that the former holds a slight advantage in the selection race over the latter.
He also acknowledged Arshdeep Singh's strong performances and warned against ruling out emerging pacer Anshul Kamboj, noting that selectors will have to carefully pick and choose from a crowded pool.
"The race will be very close. Bumrah is locked in. But the way we have used Siraj, I am not sure if he is locked in. I hope he is, because he has the experience. Between Prasidh and Gurnoor, I feel Prasidh is slightly ahead. Arshdeep has also done well. Don't count out Anshul. I think they will have to pick and choose. All of them are in the race for the World Cup squad," Ashwin said.
With most of India's remaining ODIs scheduled at home before the World Cup, Ashwin views the ongoing New Zealand series as India's toughest and most vital testing ground for overseas conditions.
India entered the New Zealand series without frontline pacers Bumrah and Prasidh, handing extended opportunities to a young bowling unit. Across the first two ODIs in Auckland and Wellington, the pace quartet of Arshdeep, Gurnoor, Kamboj, and Auqib Nabi combined to take 17 of the 20 Kiwi wickets, helping the visitors take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
"I think this ODI series was going to be the most difficult one for India and even testing, as other series will happen in India. The conditions are not exactly the same as in South Africa, but it could test the batters in overseas conditions. So far, what Gurnoor, Anshul, and Nabi have done has been a positive. I think Nabi's pace is still low, so I don't know if he will be in contention for the World Cup. But Gurnoor and Anshul have given a good account of what they are capable of. I would have loved to see Nitish bowl a bit as well, because we don't know about Hardik," Ashwin stated.
Reflecting on India's batting performance in the two rain-affected ODIs against New Zealand, Ashwin remarked: "It is a testing pitch. Taking singles is also difficult. It is difficult for the batters to predict as well. Indian batters are doing pretty well. There is no concern with Shreyas Iyer, too. Any batter can get out in any manner. Everyone has some or the other weakness. KL also goes under the radar. He looked in control. If someone supported him, we would have romped home with four or five down. There is no concern, but the batting looks a bit shaky in these conditions. If they lose the top order, they can look a little flimsy. But we cannot judge right now. If we had full 50-over games, it would have been a great trailer."
Ashwin questioned the Indian team management's decision to release all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy from the ODI squad in the ongoing New Zealand tour. After featuring in the T20I series, Reddy was released from the ODI squad to join India A for the third unofficial Test against New Zealand A.
"We don't know what is going on in the team. Maybe Nitish will play the first Test, which is why they have released him. Or it could be a small niggle or an injury, we don't know. Ideally, I would have loved to see him for the World Cup preparation, but it is okay," Ashwin said.