Irfan Pathan thinks India should pick either Mohammed Siraj or Arshdeep Singh for the 2027 ODI World Cup. He said only one of them can make the squad. And right now, he would lean towards Arshdeep. Arshdeep is a left-arm bowler. That gives batters a different angle to deal with. Pathan also said Arshdeep can swing the ball both ways. He added that Siraj has the same skill. But Pathan wants to see what Siraj does when he gets his chance.
He called Siraj an experienced player. He wants Siraj to grab the opportunity and make the selectors think hard. Pathan pointed out one area India will consider with Siraj. Siraj is very good with the new ball. But can he bowl well with the older ball? Pathan said Siraj’s experience should help him answer that question if he gets a game. Still, Pathan feels Arshdeep may be slightly ahead at the moment.
The 2027 ODI World Cup will be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. It runs from October 2 to November 21. Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana are likely to be picked. Gurnoor Brar has also made a case for himself with some good recent performances. Arshdeep has played 21 ODIs and taken 34 wickets. His average is 24.73. Siraj has played 51 matches and taken 77 wickets.
Pathan also talked about Anshul Kamboj. He said Kamboj is unlikely to make the World Cup squad. But Kamboj could make things tricky for the selectors if he keeps performing. Pathan likes what he has seen from Kamboj so far. He said Kamboj can bat too. That gives him an extra edge. Pathan said Kamboj might not be in the top five right now. But he can send a message to the selectors that he is here. Kamboj was Player of the Match against New Zealand in Auckland. He took 2 for 22 in 10 overs.
…Backs Anshul Kamboj for India’s 2027 ODI World Cup Squad After Auckland Performance
Irfan Pathan thinks Anshul Kamboj could push for a place in India’s 2027 ODI World Cup squad. He said if Kamboj keeps performing, the selectors will be forced to think about him. Kamboj did well in the first ODI against New Zealand in Auckland. He took 2 for 22 in 10 overs and bowled 46 dot balls. That helped India bowl New Zealand out for 185. India won that match by five wickets.
Pathan said people should not judge Kamboj too harshly for his rough Test debut last year. Kamboj came in as an injury replacement. He took one wicket and gave away 89 runs in 18 overs. Pathan said it is not easy to play a Test after travelling. A fast bowler needs time to adjust to the climate and recover. He said Kamboj needed more time before that Test.
Pathan likes Kamboj’s all-round bowling skills. He can bowl with the new ball. He has good death bowling, as seen with Chennai Super Kings. He can come around the wicket and bowl wide yorkers. He can also bowl with the old ball and get some movement. Pathan said that package makes Kamboj valuable for the future. He said if Kamboj keeps going like this, the selectors will have to think about him as a probable World Cup winner.
Kamboj had a hard start to his ODI career. Against the West Indies in New Chandigarh, he gave away 82 runs in nine overs. Shai Hope took him for 42 off 31 balls. But the New Zealand game showed what he can do. The 2027 World Cup will be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
FAQs
Q. Who does Irfan Pathan prefer for the 2027 ODI World Cup?
A. Pathan currently prefers Arshdeep Singh because his left-arm bowling offers a different angle and he can swing the ball both ways.
Q. How many ODI wickets have Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj taken?
A. Arshdeep has taken 34 wickets in 21 ODIs, while Siraj has claimed 77 wickets in 51 matches.
Q. What does Irfan Pathan want Mohammed Siraj to prove?
A. Pathan wants Siraj to show that he can bowl effectively with the older ball as well as the new ball.
Q. How did Anshul Kamboj perform against New Zealand in Auckland?
A. Kamboj took 2/22 in 10 overs, including 46 dot balls, as India bowled New Zealand out for 185.
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