The excitement surrounding the 2027 ICC Men's ODI World Cup has already begun to build across the global cricketing community. Scheduled to be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia across 12 distinct venues, this flagship tournament promises high-octane action. Ahead of the marquee event, former South African batting icon Hashim Amla revealed his personal picks for the three batters he is most eager to watch live on the field. Amla's selection features one marquee player each from India, Australia, and host nation South Africa. However, the most unexpected aspect of his list was the omission of Indian run-machine Virat Kohli, one of the greatest modern-day batters. Instead of Kohli, Amla picked Indian captain Rohit Sharma to round out his top three.
Who Made Hashim Amla's Top Three Picks?
In a video shared on the official Instagram channel of the International Cricket Council (ICC), Hashim Amla opened up about the players who thrill him the most as a spectator. He kicked off his list by highlighting South African youth sensation Dewald Brevis. Amla lauded Brevis as an exceptionally talented dynamic player capable of altering the course of a match through aggressive batting under home conditions.
Turning his focus to Australia, Hashim Amla picked explosive opening batsman Travis Head. Amla emphasized that Head has been performing at an extraordinary level for a consistent period. He noted that Head's fearless approach and fluid strokeplay make him a total delight to watch from the stands.
From the Indian contingent, Amla selected 39-year-old skipper Rohit Sharma. Expressing deep admiration for the Indian leader, Amla pointed out that Rohit plays every shot with a rare, effortless grace and delicacy. This elegant touch is precisely why Amla is keen to see Rohit feature at the 2027 World Cup.
Travis Head's Match-Winning Heroics in the 2023 World Cup Final
Australian opener Travis Head is widely expected to be a central figure for his country at the 2027 tournament. Head played a monumental role in guiding Australia to their sixth ODI World Cup crown in 2023. In the high-stakes final played on 19 November at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Head delivered a masterclass by scoring a match-winning 137 runs against host nation India.
During that final in Ahmedabad, India set Australia a target of 241 runs. Head's brilliant century anchored the chase as Australia reached the destination in 44 overs with 4 wickets down to secure the trophy. Meanwhile, Amla views South Africa's Dewald Brevis as a rising star who could leverage familiar home conditions during the 2027 edition to unleash match-winning performances.
Virat Kohli's Stellar Record vs Hashim Amla's Selection Choice
Amla's decision to bypass Virat Kohli raised eyebrows given Kohli's monumental achievements in white-ball cricket. Statistics confirm that Kohli is the second-highest run-scorer in the overall history of ODI cricket as well as in ODI World Cup history. During the 2023 ODI World Cup hosted in India, Kohli was crowned with the prestigious Golden Bat award for ending as the tournament's leading run-getter.
Despite Kohli's legendary status, Amla opted for Indian captain Rohit Sharma. Rohit himself boasts an enviable legacy in fifty-over cricket, standing as India's third-highest run-scorer in ODI history and the third-highest run-maker in ODI World Cup history. Rohit's effortless timing and ability to dominate bowling attacks make him a fan favorite globally.
Rohit Sharma's ODI Future and Resilient Lord's Century
While questions regarding age and long-term selection had surfaced surrounding 39-year-old Rohit Sharma, his performances on the park continue to speak volumes. Speculation had swirled that the third ODI against England at Lord's might mark a turning point for Rohit's future in the fifty-over setup.
However, on 19 July, Rohit delivered a fitting response to critics by smashing a brilliant century in that decisive third ODI at the historic Lord's ground. That century silenced doubters and firmly put the spotlight back on his prospects of leading India into the 2027 ODI World Cup in Southern Africa.
