Former India Opener Abhinav Mukund Picks 2027 ODI World Cup Squad; Shubman Gill Nears Top Ranking

NEW DELHI Former India opener Abhinav Mukund has picked his 15-man India squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup, making some interesting selection choices. Mukund, who represented India in seven Tests between 2011 and 2017, has backed veteran opener Rohit Sharma despite recent speculation over his ODI future. However, Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal failed to make the cut. The former cricketer unveiled his squad on ESPNcricinfo's YouTube channel.

Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya included

Mukund has gone with a blend of experience and youth, while placing his faith in a pace attack spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.Batters: Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas IyerWicketkeepers: KL Rahul, Ishan KishanAll-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington SundarSpinner: Kuldeep YadavPacers: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana and Gurnoor Brar

Gill closes in on World No. 1

Meanwhile, Shubman Gill has moved within touching distance of the No. 1 spot in the latest ICC ODI batting rankings released after the England series. Gill scored 188 runs in the three-match series and is now just one rating point behind New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell, who leads the rankings with 802 points. Virat Kohli (767) and Rohit Sharma (758) are placed third and fourth respectively, giving India three batters in the top five. England's Joe Root, who was named Player of the Series after scoring an unbeaten 249 runs, jumped four places to eighth. Ben Duckett climbed 11 spots to joint-19th, while Jacob Bethell rose five places to 64th. India's newly appointed T20I captain Shreyas Iyer moved up two places to 13th in the ODI batting rankings. Among bowlers, Kuldeep slipped one place to 11th, with Afghanistan's Rashid Khan continuing to lead the rankings. England fast bowler Jofra Archer climbed to third after taking five wickets against India in the ODI series.