India captain Shubman Gill discusses 2027 World Cup planning with Virat Kohli

By Sanjay Menon — 14 July 2026 — 4 min read

Planning for the 2027 ODI World Cup

India captain Shubman Gill has revealed that he has initiated discussions with Virat Kohli regarding the team’s preparations for 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 for the conditions expected in South Africa.

During these discussions, held at the nets, Gill and Kohli explored various aspects of team selection. They considered which players, even those not currently part of the team, could contribute in the future. The talks also covered potential bowlers, all-rounders, and spinners who might be crucial for the tournament.

Gill, who assumed captaincy duties in the ODI format late last year, emphasised that every upcoming series will be vital for working out combinations and preparing for the conditions in South Africa. He stated that the mindset is to find a combination suitable for the wickets anticipated in South Africa, making the current series significant for the team’s long-term planning.

The road to the 2027 ODI World Cup officially began with the team’s matches in England. Gill believes the ODI World Cup is the most prestigious of all World Cups, a sentiment he expressed on the eve of the first ODI against England at Edgbaston.

The importance of the 50-over format

Shubman Gill has voiced strong support for the future of One-day Internationals, advocating for the 50-over format to remain unchanged. He dismissed suggestions of reducing the format to 40 overs, asserting that the 50-over World Cup stands as the pinnacle of ODI cricket.

Recalling his own experiences, Gill mentioned growing up watching a significant amount of 50-over cricket, which he considers an integral part of his childhood. For him, the 50-over World Cup is the first thing that comes to mind when he thinks of the World Cup, reinforcing its prestige.

Instead of altering the format, Gill proposed that reintroducing multi-nation tournaments more frequently could enhance the appeal of ODI cricket for both players and fans. He suggested that formats like the Triangular Series or even Quadrangular Series, which were previously popular, could make bilateral cricket more engaging.

He noted that such series, involving different teams playing at various venues, would offer more variety compared to playing the same team repeatedly. This approach, he believes, would make the format more interesting to play and watch.

Team dynamics and upcoming challenges

The Indian team is currently navigating challenges, including injuries to key all-rounders. While Hardik Pandya is not with the team, Nitish K Reddy and Harshit Rana have also faced injury setbacks. The form of Kuldeep Yadav is also being monitored. The roles of experienced players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma remain a significant talking point.

Gill affirmed that both Kohli and Sharma are crucial to India‘s batting lineup, highlighting their experience and skill. He acknowledged their consistent performances over the past decade across various conditions, tournaments, and occasions, underscoring their valuable contribution to the team.

The return of Jasprit Bumrah to the ODI squad after being rested to manage his workload following the IPL 2026 has been welcomed. Gill expressed hope that Bumrah has had sufficient overs leading up to the ODI series and that he performs well, contributing to a series victory for India.

The team is looking to gain momentum in the ODI format, which is not played as frequently as it once was. India has 12 ODIs scheduled until next April, including away series against England and New Zealand, and home series against Sri Lanka and the West Indies. These matches are crucial for finalising the main squad and backup options for the upcoming World Cup cycle.

The team recently began a three-match ODI series, aiming to recover from a challenging white-ball period that included a 2-0 loss in Ireland and a 4-0 defeat in the T20I series against England.

Gill also extended congratulations to the Indian women’s team for their historic 270-run victory over England in the first-ever women’s Test at Lord’s.

The next 14 months will be pivotal for Gill as he aims to solidify his leadership of the Indian men’s team.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com