With less than a year remaining before the 2027 ODI World Cup in Africa, Team India still has a few important areas to address ahead of the global tournament. While the batting department appears relatively settled, former Indian cricketer Mohammed Kaif believes bowling and fielding will play a decisive role in determining the team’s chances of winning its third ODI World Cup title.

India, a two-time World Cup champion, finished runners-up in the 2023 edition after winning every match leading up to the final on home soil. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma led the batting charge, while the bowling attack and fielding unit also contributed significantly to the team’s impressive campaign.

However, Mohammad Kaif believes India must strengthen its bowling and fielding departments to challenge for the trophy in 2027. “The focus is on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, I think they will be fine. If India has to win, bowling and fielding must be sorted, they are the two important aspects,” Kaif told Hindustan Times.

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Kaif also expects batting-friendly conditions in South Africa, suggesting that teams with skilful and experienced bowlers could enjoy a significant advantage. According to him, bowlers will need to find ways to contain powerful batting line-ups on surfaces that may offer limited assistance.

“The conditions have become much better in South Africa; there are a lot of batting-friendly pitches. So, I don’t think bowlers will dominate. I feel batters will dominate, so which team has better bowlers will do well,” he said.

Among the experienced bowlers Kaif wants India to consider is Mohammed Shami. The right-arm pacer last played an international match in March 2025, but his performances in the 2023 ODI World Cup remain a strong argument in his favour.

Shami entered India’s playing XI during the 2023 tournament after Hardik Pandya suffered an injury. He made an immediate impact against New Zealand, claiming five wickets in his first appearance. Shami eventually finished the competition with 24 wickets in seven matches, becoming its leading wicket-taker.

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“Shami had a big impact in the 2023 tournament. In Africa, you will get flat wickets, you need experienced players. Shami is a skilful bowler… He is an ICC event bowler, he has performed in every World Cup,” Mohammad Kaif added.

Kaif also stressed that fitness and performance should matter more than age when selecting players. He pointed to Shami’s domestic cricket workload as evidence of his efforts to return, arguing that the pacer’s ability to bowl long spells and contribute to victories should determine his selection prospects.