Umesh Yadav backs Bhuvneshwar Kumar for 2027 ODI World Cup squad

India’s fast bowler Umesh Yadav has backed Bhuvneshwar Kumar for the 2027 ODI World Cup squad. Yadav highlighted that Kumar has performed consistently in the IPL and deserves his chance in the ODI team.

Kumar was added to India’s squad on Tuesday after his impressive performances in IPL 2026 for RCB. The swing master scalped 28 wickets in 16 matches of the previous season and played a key role in taking RCB to glory.

Umesh Yadav said on SportsNext, “I feel that, considering the way Bhuvneshwar Kumar has performed, he should have a place because he has also done very well in the IPL. In whatever season he has played, he has performed quite well. And on the wickets in South Africa, there is no doubt that you get both bounce and swing there, so I feel he is a better option.”

On the other hand, Yadav, who has a decent Test record in Indian conditions, picked Jasprit Bumrah as the pack leader and also wants Mohammed Shami to make a comeback in the ODI team. Yadav reckons Prasidh Krishna will get assistance on bouncy South African wickets and urged selectors to pick Arshdeep Singh in the squad as he would provide a left-arm angle.

He concluded, “Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah. I think Mohammed Siraj is one, and Prasidh Krishna, because the wickets will be bouncy, so Prasidh Krishna’s bounce and pace will be very useful for us on those bouncy wickets. I also feel that having a left-arm fast bowler in the team would be better because Arshdeep Singh has been continuously travelling with the team for so many years. He has been there on every tour and at every major tournament, so he has that experience of swinging the ball. So, he also has a chance of making the squad.”

India will begin their World Cup 2027 campaign against defending champions Australia on October 7, Cape Town.