India captain Shubman Gill discusses 2027 World Cu...

By Ishaan Kapoor — 14 July 2026 — 4 min read

Planning for the 2027 World Cup

India captain Shubman Gill has revealed that he and Virat Kohli have begun discussions regarding the 2027 ODI World Cup, which is scheduled to be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. These conversations have focused on identifying the optimal squad composition and player combinations suited for the conditions anticipated in South Africa.

During these discussions at the nets, Gill and Kohli considered which players, including those not currently in the team, could contribute in the future. Their talks covered various roles, including bowlers, all-rounders, and spinners, to build a strong team for the upcoming tournament.

Gill, who took on captaincy duties in the ODI format late last year, emphasised that every upcoming series will be crucial for working out combinations and preparing for the conditions in South Africa. He stated that the mindset is to find a combination that performs well on wickets similar to those expected in South Africa, making the current series significant for the team’s preparations.

The importance of the ODI format

Shubman Gill has expressed his support for the future of One-day Internationals, advocating for the 50-over format to remain unchanged. He believes the 50-over World Cup is the most prestigious tournament in ODI cricket, a sentiment rooted in his experience of growing up watching the format.

On the eve of the first ODI against England at Edgbaston, Gill rejected suggestions to shorten the format to 40 overs. He highlighted that when he thinks of the World Cup, the 50-over version is the first thing that comes to mind, reinforcing its significance.

Instead of altering the format, Gill proposed the reintroduction of multi-nation tournaments, such as triangular or quadrangular series, to enhance the appeal of ODI cricket for both players and fans. He recalled the enjoyment of watching past triangular series involving teams like India, Australia, and Sri Lanka, suggesting that playing against different teams in various venues could make the format more engaging than bilateral series.

The India captain also welcomed the return of Jasprit Bumrah to the ODI squad. Bumrah rejoined the team after being rested to manage his workload following the IPL 2026. Gill expressed hope that Bumrah would perform well in the upcoming series and contribute to the team’s success.

Team dynamics and challenges

The road to the 2027 ODI World Cup presents challenges for India, particularly concerning injuries to all-rounders. Players like Hardik Pandya are not currently in the team, and Nitish K Reddy and Harshit Rana have faced injuries. Additionally, the form of Kuldeep Yadav is being monitored.

Despite these concerns, Gill affirmed the crucial role of experienced players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. He described them as the backbone of the Indian batting lineup for the past decade, emphasising their invaluable experience and skill. Gill noted that their contributions in various conditions and tournaments have been consistent and significant.

The team’s top five, comprising Rohit, Gill, Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul, appears settled. However, the fitness of all-rounders remains a key area of focus. Mohammed Siraj is also a consistent part of the bowling plans. The next 14 months, which include 12 ODIs against teams like England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies, will be vital for finalising the squad and backup options.

Gill also congratulated the Indian women’s team for their historic 270-run victory over England in the first-ever women’s Test at Lord’s, calling it a proud moment for the nation.

India captain Shubman Gill believes the ODI World Cup is the most prestigious of all World Cups Credit: newindianexpress.com

The upcoming matches, including the three-match ODI series against England, are seen as an opportunity for India to regain momentum after recent white-ball series losses, including a 2-0 defeat in Ireland and a 4-0 loss in the T20I series against England.

The captain highlighted the difference between playing a short series and a major tournament like the World Cup, which involves 11 matches. He expressed the team’s desire to provide more opportunities to players like Reddy and Rana before the World Cup, to help them feel settled in high-pressure situations.

The next 14 months will be crucial for Gill to establish his leadership in the ODI format, particularly with other former captains in the playing XI.

India is set to begin their three-match ODI series against England at Edgbaston.

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