India has been placed in Group A of the 2027 World Cup .
India won their recently concluded ODI series against the West Indies by a margin of 2-1. Aakash Chopra predicted that the top six for the runners-up of the previous edition of the 2027 ODI World Cup will be Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Hardik.
The analyst pointed out Hardik Pandya's importance at No. 6, highlighting that he has never seen the all-rounder lacking form.
"When I look at the batting order, there is no difference seen between 2023 and 2027. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill are your two openers, who were there in 2023 as well. Both are in good form, and I am hoping they remain in good form till the World Cup. Virat Kohli at No. 3. I don't feel there will be any dip in his form for you to have a conversation.
I am extremely confident about Shreyas Iyer. He is one of the finest middle-order batters in modern-day ODI cricket. KL Rahul at No. 5—no conversation whatsoever. Hardik Pandya at No. 6. He is the only one with that quality of skill set. I have never seen him in bad form. Hardik Pandya is critical at No. 6," Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
Hardik Pandya was the sole pace all-rounder for India in the 2023 World Cup, but his tournament ended midway after suffering an ankle injury in a league game against Bangladesh. The 32-year-old hasn't played an ODI since March 2025 and has been repeatedly bothered by injuries.
Aakash Chopra opined that Ishan Kishan is the frontrunner for the backup batter's position.
"You will need a backup batter and keeper. You also need an opener and a middle-order batter. Only one guy does that job. That's Ishan Kishan. Currently, Ishan Kishan is ahead of everyone else in that race. He is No. 1 in that ranking. He is one guy who fits every single bill," Chopra said.
Chopra also spoke about Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad as other contenders and said that India will have to compromise on some other aspect if either of them is picked, as a backup wicketkeeper would also be required.
"There are two or three other names here. Yashasvi Jaiswal, who is an out-and-out opener, but will you sacrifice something else for an opener? Ruturaj Gaikwad, once again a middle-order batter and an opener, but the wicketkeeper option is still vacant. So, Ishan Kishan automatically ticks all the boxes," Chopra observed.
Ishan Kishan was part of India's 2023 ODI World Cup squad as a backup wicketkeeper and opener. He played the first two games due to Shubman Gill's unavailability.