Former India batter Suresh Raina has backed the national side to secure a comprehensive victory over Pakistan at the 2027 ODI World Cup, citing the current squad’s superiority across all facets of the game.
The highly anticipated clash is scheduled for October 10, 2027, at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. The tournament, co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, will feature 14 teams during the group stage.
Raina was emphatic in his assessment, highlighting India’s strength in batting, bowling, and fielding. He praised the fearless, aggressive approach adopted by the current generation of players, suggesting the team’s overall quality clearly distinguishes them from their arch-rivals at this juncture.
“The Indian team is too far ahead at the moment, in all departments. The way players have improved, the fearless approach they are batting with, and their aggressive style, I don’t think it’s like ever before. But India-Pakistan definitely brings more awareness for the fans, but I think the Indian team is far superior right now. It’s a World Cup game, Pakistan will also have support in South Africa, but I think we have that quality team, bowlers with good pace and bounce who can handle pressure well. 1983, 2011, and hopefully, 2027, I think it’s time to bring the third. The team will have the wishes and the prayers of our 1.4 billion population in India. And I think they will win that Pakistan game comfortably,” Raina said while speaking to JioStar after the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 Schedule Launch.
A significant portion of Raina’s analysis centered on India’s bowling arsenal. He specifically underscored the quality of the pace attack, noting their ability to generate sharp pace and bounce—attributes he believes will prove decisive in South African conditions. Raina expressed confidence that these bowlers possess the temperament and skill to thrive in high-pressure tournament scenarios.
His remarks reinforce the view that India’s bowling depth, combined with an aggressive batting lineup, furnishes a well-rounded squad equipped to contend at the highest level throughout the competition. While Raina did not name individual bowlers, his broader point regarding the unit’s collective depth and quality was unambiguous.
The tournament’s knockout stage is also confirmed: the two semi-finals will be played on November 17 and 18, 2027, with the final set for November 21, 2027, also in Johannesburg.