Former India player and commentator Aakash Chopra has expressed slight concern about Yashasvi Jaiswal’s chances of making India’s World Cup 2027 squad. He said India might be a batter short in their squad, since Ishan Kishan can back up both the wicketkeeping and opening roles. However, Kishan is part of India’s squad for the five-match ODI series against New Zealand, and he has even been appointed the vice-captain for the last two games. On the other hand, Jaiswal, unlike other Test players, hasn’t been picked even for the first three ODIs as well.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, ‘Aakash Chopra,’ he said, “Nitish Kumar Reddy – yes, but they won’t be able to make a place for Yashasvi. Currently, I feel Ishan Kishan will become your wicketkeeper and opener backup because one guy fits everywhere, and you won’t have so many places. I am a little 50-50 about Yashasvi. He is not even in the team currently, and since Ishan Kishan does the job of a backup opener and keeper, the team thinks about taking an extra all-rounder or fast bowler in such a scenario. They might take a batter less.”

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However, Aakash Chopra also stated that India might have to potentially leave out all-rounder Washington Sundar to accommodate Nitish Kumar Reddy in their World Cup 2027 squad as well.

“If you keep Nitish Kumar Reddy, you would have to keep a spin-bowling all-rounder out. It could be Washington Sundar. I am saying that because when the tournament starts, the conditions will be good for the fast bowlers. Spin would have come into play by the time it ends. It’s a two-month tournament. 13 or 14 matches would be played (by a team). In such a scenario, you need this and that. You want to prepare both of them, but Nitish Kumar Reddy is a slightly bigger case to make because there are concerns over Hardik Pandya’s fitness as well,” he concluded.