The ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 is taking shape as the premier 50‑over tournament, set to be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. As the competition prepares to showcase the world’s finest One‑Day sides, every team will be fine‑tuning its line‑ups well ahead of the event. For India, a critical focus will be finding dependable batsmen who can fill top‑order slots whenever needed.
Wasim Jaffer questions Sanju Samson as backup opener
Former India opener Wasim Jaffer doubts Sanju Samson’s suitability as a backup opening option for India in the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup. While conceding Samson’s batting talent, Jaffer highlights consistency as a key issue in the 50‑over format.
On The Great Indian Cricket Show broadcast on Doordarshan, Jaffer argued that ODI cricket requires a higher degree of reliability than T20s, as batters have more time to construct their innings.
“I do not see Sanju Samson as a backup opener for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027; I think there is a slight issue of consistency with him. In one‑day cricket, you require a bit more consistency because there is more time at the crease,” Jaffer said.
Samson has demonstrated the ability to deliver match‑winning performances in ODIs, most recently scoring a century on his last appearance and proving his potential impact when he gets a start.
Jaffer cautions, however, that a single impressive outing should not mask the broader picture. The former opener notes that Samson, despite playing a substantial number of ODIs, has yet to maintain consistent performances across his chances.
“I think India has a few better options than Sanju Samson. I feel Sanju should be left alone to play T20 cricket,” Jaffer added.
Expectations high from Team India
Expectations are sky‑high for Team India at the upcoming mega event. Captained by Shubman Gill, the side aims to lift the coveted ODI World Cup trophy and end a long drought of titles. India came tantalisingly close in the previous tournament on home soil, delivering an impressive run that saw them win all group matches and advance deep into the knockout phase before falling to Australia in the final.
The 2027 tournament offers India another shot at glory, and with Gill slated to lead the side, assembling a reliable, well‑balanced squad will be paramount. The conversation about potential back‑up choices, including Samson, is expected to persist. As the event draws nearer, consistency, recent form, and versatility will be decisive factors in selecting India’s final World Cup roster.
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