Former Indian Test opener Wasim Jaffer has opined that he wouldn’t consider Prince Yadav for the ODI World Cup 2027. Yadav has impressed in his young white-ball career but Jaffer believes the Delhi fast bowler still lacks experience for the World Cup stage.
The right-arm pacer missed the first two T20Is against the West Indies and returned with figures of 0-37 in his quota of four overs. He also scored a crucial cameo of six-ball 13.
Yadav has scalped four wickets in three ODI matches at an average of 43.25 and economy rate of 7.06.
Wasim Jaffer said on his YouTube Channel, “I wouldn’t consider him (Prince Yadav) just yet because this is a World Cup, and you wouldn’t give someone an opportunity so quickly.”
Jaffer also ruled out Mayank Yadav from India’s World Cup 2027 squad. Mayank has impressed with his raw pace and has scalped 13 wickets in nine T20I matches. However, he is yet to make his ODI debut.
He added, “I mean, Mayank Yadav isn’t quite there either, but he could become a candidate in the future. He certainly has that ability because his action is so strong and he consistently bowls at around 145 clicks, as we have seen. However, there is a question mark over his fitness. Can he sustain himself over four overs, bowl 10 overs, or field for 50 overs? Until he plays enough cricket to prove that he can do so, that question mark will remain. But I feel he would be an ideal option if he improves his fitness.”
The former domestic giant said it would be up to the team management to take a call on Arshdeep Singh. Singh will bring a left-arm angle to the crease and he has scalped 30 wickets in 18 ODI matches.
“Arshdeep has already played 50-over cricket, so there isn’t a question mark over him in that regard. It is up to the management to decide whether Arshdeep fits into their plans. We have also discussed the left-arm angle. It is always good to have a left-arm pacer in your 15-member squad because he provides variety to the attack. So, the management will have to decide whether to include Arshdeep or not.”
India will begin their ODI World Cup campaign against Australia on October 7, 2027, in Cape Town.
