Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has said that the national selectors are already building a squad with the 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in South Africa firmly in mind, with an emphasis on players equipped to handle pace, bounce, and movement — the defining characteristics of South African pitches.

Pathan shared his assessment ahead of India's first ODI against Afghanistan, pointing to recent squad inclusions as evidence of deliberate long-term planning.

Why Gurnoor Brar Is in the Frame

Pathan singled out tall left-arm pacer Gurnoor Brar as a World Cup-oriented selection. 'Gurnoor Brar has been selected because the Indian management wants a bowler who can exploit the pace and bounce expected on South African pitches in the 2027 World Cup,' Pathan said in an interview on Jio Hotstar. 'Standing at 6 feet 5 inches, he gets natural extra bounce. That will be a big advantage in those conditions,' he added.

The logic is straightforward: South African tracks have historically rewarded tall seamers who can extract steep bounce, and Brar's physical profile makes him a natural fit for that template.

Ishan Kishan's Multi-Dimensional Role

Pathan also flagged Ishan Kishan as a critical multi-dimensional asset in the ODI setup, particularly for his ability to handle short-pitched bowling. 'Along with good bowlers, you also need batters who can handle bounce. Ishan Kishan fits that role perfectly. He plays the short ball well, scores square of the wicket, and can serve as a backup opener, a backup at number three behind Virat, and a backup wicketkeeper,' Pathan said.

Notably, Ishan's return to the national side after a period in domestic cricket — which included leading Jharkhand to a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title — has been widely cited as a model for how fringe players can force their way back through consistent performances.

The Case for Fast-Bowling All-Rounders

Pathan stressed that fast-bowling all-rounders would be decisive in South African conditions and urged the team management to give Nitish Kumar Reddy extended opportunities. 'I will be watching how many all-rounders get opportunities because fast-bowling all-rounders will be crucial in South Africa. Hence, I want to see Nitish Kumar Reddy get chances,' he said.

He also backed Shivam Dube for a sustained run in ODIs following his performances in T20 internationals. 'Shivam Dube has done well in T20Is, and now is the time to bring him into ODIs as well. They need as many opportunities as possible in the lead-up to the World Cup,' Pathan added.

Pathan's Message to Rishabh Pant

On Rishabh Pant, whose white-ball form has come under scrutiny, Pathan urged selectors to keep the door open. 'My suggestion to the selectors is not to completely ignore him. Yes, he has fallen behind in white-ball cricket. His form has not been great. But look at Ishan Kishan — he was out of the team too, but he used that as motivation,' Pathan said.

'He played domestic cricket, performed well, and led Jharkhand to a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy win as captain. Rishabh should take inspiration from Ishan and keep working hard. He should not lose hope of making a comeback in white-ball cricket,' he added.

With less than two years remaining before the 2027 World Cup, the Afghanistan ODI series — beginning Saturday — offers India an early opportunity to stress-test their squad depth and identify the players who can perform in conditions that will define the tournament.