Gurnoor Brar in India’s ODI World Cup 2027 plans? Mohammad Kaif explains why the young pacer could be a surprise pick

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With the countdown to the ODI World Cup 2027 in South Africa gathering pace, teams across the cricketing world have already started laying the groundwork for the marquee event. The tournament, which will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, is expected to bring unique challenges, particularly due to the pace-friendly conditions and extra bounce available on South African pitches.

As a result, selectors and team managements are looking beyond established stars and identifying players who could thrive in those conditions. India, one of the favourites for every major ICC tournament, is also evaluating a pool of players who could form the core of their World Cup squad. While several familiar names are expected to feature, former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif believes a relatively lesser-known pacer could emerge as a strong contender for a place in the squad.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kaif shared his views on left-arm pacer Gurnoor Brar and suggested that the youngster could be part of India’s long-term plans leading up to the 2027 ODI World Cup.

According to Kaif, multiple factors are working in Brar’s favour, including the support of key figures within the Indian setup. He believes the team management sees significant potential in the tall fast bowler, whose natural attributes could make him highly effective in South African conditions.

“I feel they are looking to push Gurnoor for the 2027 World Cup. I think there will be focus on him. Gambhir likes him, Gill knows him, and the selectors also seem to be on the same page. He has the extra height and gets extra bounce. If he does well in England, he could be seen playing in the World Cup,” Kaif said.

The former Indian batter further explained that Brar’s bowling style makes him different from many of the fast bowlers currently competing for a place in the national side. His high-arm action and ability to extract steep bounce could prove to be valuable weapons on fast surfaces.

Kaif also highlighted a trend within the current Indian selection setup, pointing out that the management has often backed players who may not have been obvious choices initially.

“This set of selectors and coach always brings one player out of the box whenever the team is picked. If Gurnoor responds well and shows improvement, his name can be there in that World Cup squad,” he added.

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Expectations remain sky-high for Team India as they build towards the 2027 ODI World Cup under the leadership of Shubman Gill. Fans and experts alike are hopeful that India can go one step further after their heartbreaking campaign in the 2023 edition.

India entered the 2023 World Cup as overwhelming favourites and dominated the tournament, winning ten consecutive matches before reaching the final. However, their dream run ended with a defeat against Australia in the title clash. While leadership responsibilities have shifted to Gill in the years since, experienced campaigners Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are still expected to play crucial roles. Both veterans now focus solely on ODI cricket and remain central figures in India’s plans for the tournament.

Kohli was India’s leading run-scorer during the 2023 World Cup, while Rohit’s aggressive captaincy and batting at the top set the tone for the team’s success. As preparations intensify for South Africa 2027, Indian fans will once again look towards the experienced duo, alongside emerging talents such as Brar, to help the team challenge for another World Cup crown.

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