Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra believes India could face a selection dilemma between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad when finalising reserve options for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027. Both batters are part of India’s ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against West Indies, beginning September 27, giving them another opportunity to strengthen their respective cases. Jaiswal has made an impressive start to his ODI career, scoring 285 runs in six matches at an average of 71.25.

The left-hander has already registered two centuries, with his highest score being an unbeaten 116. Gaikwad, meanwhile, has accumulated 228 runs in nine ODIs at an average of 28.50, including one century and one half-century. With both players competing for limited spots in India’s World Cup squad, Chopra believes the West Indies series could be significant. He expects the selection battle for reserve positions to involve Jaiswal and Gaikwad, while also keeping an eye on players such as Auqib Nabi.

“You have to think about who you can take along as reserves for the World Cup. So, there will be a toss-up here between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad, who are both part of this team, and whenever they have played, they have scored a lot of runs. So, I am looking at an opportunity opening up for one of these two. Auqib Nabi has been travelling with the team for some time now, but is not getting a chance to play in the XI. If he gets his opportunity, I will be quite excited to see him perform,” Aakash Chopra said on JioHotstar’s Follow the Blues.

The West Indies series comes at an important stage of India’s preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are returning to the format after a period away, while Ravindra Jadeja has also been recalled after missing the ODI series against Afghanistan and England. Gaikwad’s inclusion comes with Shreyas Iyer unavailable for the series due to his participation in the Asian Games 2026 in Japan.

ALSO READ: S Badrinath Backs Impact Player Rule, Says It Makes the IPL More Interesting

Aakash Chopra also highlighted the expectations surrounding Rohit and Kohli, with the veteran batters expected to play important roles in India’s World Cup plans. “The World Cup is just one year away now, and I know that if Rohit and Kohli get in, they will score runs, win you matches, and possibly win you trophies. So, looking at it from this perspective, the only expectation from Rohit and Kohli is just this: keep scoring runs,” he said.

Chopra also discussed Rishabh Pant’s situation after the wicketkeeper-batter was left out of the West Indies ODI squad. Pant has played only one ODI since returning from his serious road accident in 2024, although he remains an important part of India’s Test setup. Dhruv Jurel has been selected as the backup wicketkeeper after producing strong performances during India’s Test tour of Sri Lanka, where he scored a century and a half-century.

“Rishabh Pant is a very strange and very unique case. While he is playing Test cricket and is a very important member of the red-ball side, he was stripped of his vice-captaincy duties there as well. But in ODI cricket, without playing, he has been bid goodbye. At the same time, he has been made the captain of the Rest of India (ROI), which also tells you that, with respect to red-ball cricket, they are very serious about Rishabh playing a huge role in the longer format. But for white-ball cricket, as of now, I think this selection committee has made up its mind,” Aakash Chopra said.

Another major talking point is Nitish Kumar Reddy’s inclusion. He was withdrawn from the Asian Games squad to feature in the West Indies ODIs, giving India another pace-bowling all-rounder option if Hardik Pandya is unavailable.

ALSO READ: Aakash Chopra Sets Rohit and Virat A Clear Target Ahead Of West Indies ODIs

Chopra also pointed to the competition among Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar for the spin-bowling all-rounder role. With limited places available for the 2027 World Cup, every opportunity in the upcoming series could have greater significance.

“One big highlight, in my opinion, was pulling Nitish Kumar Reddy out of the Asian Games and playing him here. So, if Hardik Pandya is not available someday, they really want somebody who can bowl pace and bat as well. Ravindra Jadeja will have to, of course, take wickets and score runs. Fielding has always been his strong suit. But from a World Cup point of view, you have Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar, and not all of them will go to South Africa. So, someone will be left out, and therefore, every time you get an opportunity, you have to grab it with both hands,” he added.