Former Indian player Kris Srikkanth expressed surprise at the team management completely moving away from veteran Indian pacer Mohammed Shami across formats. While naming the potential pace bowlers India could consider for the 2027 ODI World Cup, Srikkanth mentioned Shami as someone surprisingly out of the reckoning as well. Notably, Shami was the highest wicket-taker of the 2023 ODI World Cup, finishing with 24 wickets at an average of 10.70 and an economy of 5.26 as well.

Talking about India’s overall pace attack for the 2027 World Cup, Srikkanth said on Star Sports, “Prince Yadav is also a good bowler, along with Gurnoor Brar and Mohsin Khan. These three should not be written off. They could make the World Cup squad as 15 months is still a long way off. But Shami was an outstanding bowler. I am surprised the management has turned him into a nobody.”

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“Workload management of Bumrah is going to be very important heading into the World Cup. He is India’s uncut diamond. Bumrah being there is India’s only chance of winning the World Cup. Without him, India has no chance, looking at the rest of the bowlers. Apart from him, Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj can contribute a lot on South African wickets,” he again added.

Kris Srikkanth also believes left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh should not be considered for the ODI format as well as for the 50-over World Cup next year. He has played only sparingly for India in ODIs since debuting in 2022 as well. In 18 ODI games, Arshdeep has picked up 30 wickets at an average of 25.16 and an economy of under 5.50 as well.

“Arshdeep Singh is not fit for the 50-over format. The ball doesn’t swing after two overs and he’s proficient only when there is movement. Even in T20 cricket in England, he bowls an impressive first over. But after 1.1 overs, the batters absolutely tear him apart to all corners of the ground. So he shouldn’t be considered for ODIs,” concluded Kris Srikkanth.