Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra believes opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and middle-order batsman Ruturaj Gaikwad will compete for reserve berths in India’s squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2027. Aakash Chopra made the comment on September 19, 2026, as India prepared for a three-match ODI series against the West Indies at home, which begins on September 27.
Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad are both in India’s One-Day International squad for the West Indies series. Jaiswal has 285 runs in six ODIs, with an average of 71.25, two centuries, and a top score of 116 not out. Gaikwad has 228 runs in nine ODIs for an average of 28.50, including a century and a fifty.
What does Aakash Chopra judgment indicate about India’s World Cup preparations?
Aakash Chopra views reflect the selection decisions taken in advance of the West Indies series. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are returning to ODI cricket after a hiatus, while Ravindra Jadeja has returned after missing the ODI series against Afghanistan and England. Gaikwad was named to the squad in place of Shreyas Iyer, who will represent India in the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. Chopra also discussed Rohit and Kohli’s aspirations as they return to ODI cricket.
Aakash Chopra also mentioned Rishabh Pant, who has only played one ODI since recuperating from a road accident in 2024. Pant was not chosen for the West Indies tour. Dhruv Jurel was chosen as the backup wicketkeeper after scoring a century and a fifty during the Test tour of Sri Lanka.
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According to Aakash Chora , who players will face a World Cup selection squeeze?
Chopra also cited the involvement of Nitish Kumar Reddy, who was removed from the Asian Games to play in the West Indies series. He pointed out that Reddy provides India with a pace-bowling all-rounder alternative if Hardik Pandya is unavailable. He pinpointed the spin all-rounder position as one where India will have to make difficult decisions before the World Cup. Although Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar are all available, Chopra emphasized that not all three can travel to South Africa for the competition.
