India begins ODI World Cup preparations in England ahead of 2027 tournament

By Karan Malhotra — 14 July 2026 — 3 min read

Gill discusses 2027 World Cup strategy

India captain Shubman Gill has confirmed that planning for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa has already commenced. Gill revealed that he has engaged in discussions with Virat Kohli regarding the optimal squad composition for the conditions expected in South Africa. These conversations have focused on identifying players who might not currently be in the team but could contribute significantly in the future, including bowlers, all-rounders, and spinners.

The team’s focus on the upcoming ODI World Cup is evident as they begin their journey in England. Gill, who assumed captaincy duties in the ODI format recently, emphasised that every series from this point forward will be crucial for working out combinations and preparing for the conditions anticipated in South Africa. He stressed that the mindset is to find a combination that performs well on wickets similar to those expected in the host nation, making the current series against England highly significant.

Gill also expressed his strong belief in the importance of the 50-over format, stating that it should remain unchanged. He dismissed suggestions of reducing the format to 40 overs, highlighting that the 50-over World Cup is the pinnacle of ODI cricket. He recounted growing up watching 50-over cricket, which he considers an integral part of his childhood, and views the 50-over World Cup as the most prestigious tournament to win.

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

Addressing format and team composition

Instead of altering the format, Gill proposed that introducing multi-nation tournaments more frequently could enhance the appeal of ODI cricket for both players and fans. He recalled the enjoyment of watching triangular series in the past, such as those involving India, Australia, and Sri Lanka. Gill suggested that playing triangular or quadrangular series, where teams compete against different opponents at various venues, would make the format more interesting than bilateral series.

The road to the 2027 World Cup is not without its challenges for India, as the team continues to face issues with injuries to its all-rounders. Notable players like Hardik Pandya are not currently part of the squad, and others such as Nitish K Reddy and Harshit Rana have also been affected by injuries. Furthermore, the form of Kuldeep Yadav and the future roles of experienced players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma remain topics of discussion.

Despite these concerns, Gill affirmed the continued importance of Kohli and Sharma to the team. He described them as the backbone of India‘s batting lineup for the past decade, noting their integral role and the valuable experience and skill they bring. Gill highlighted their consistent performances across various conditions, tournaments, and occasions over the last ten years.

Upcoming series and player returns

The India team is set to begin a three-match ODI series against England, aiming to recover from a recent white-ball performance where they lost 2-0 in Ireland and suffered a 4-0 defeat in the T20I series against England. The return of Jasprit Bumrah to the ODI squad, after being rested to manage his workload following IPL 2026, is a significant development. Gill expressed optimism that Bumrah has had sufficient overs leading up to this series and wished him well for the upcoming matches.

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 concern. In the bowling department, Bumrah‘s return and Mohammed Siraj‘s consistent involvement are positive aspects. The team will also monitor Pandya‘s return and Kuldeep‘s form. Over the next 14 months, India has 12 ODIs scheduled, including away series against England and New Zealand, and home series against Sri Lanka and the West Indies, to finalise their squad and backup options.

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. He described it as a proud moment, acknowledging the special significance of playing and winning at that stadium. The team’s preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup continues with the upcoming series against England.