India head coach Gautam Gambhir has revealed the roadmap and plans for the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup that is in 2027. Yes, the mega event is still more than 21 months away, but the talks took the center stage after India clinched a three-match ODI series against South Africa 2-1 in Vizag.
India missed two of its star batters in Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer. Both were named as captain and vice-captain, respectively, before India’s previous white-ball tour of Australia. However, spleen injury ruled Iyer out of action for the rest of the year. Soon, in the first Test against South Africa, Gill also injured his neck and was made unavailable for the ODIs. This gave rare opportunities to Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad, who took their chances with both hands.
Jaiswal, Gaikwad give good news to India
Jaiswal is considered as a set successor to Rohit Sharma when the Hitman retires from the game. He is unfortunate to always sit out from the T20I side but made a match-winning century in the ODI series decider. Gaikwad, meanwhile, got a chance to bat twice in the series.
In the first attempt, Dewald Brevis took an outstanding catch to end his stay but when another opportunity arrived, Gaikwad showed why he is one of the best List-A talents in the country. The CSK captain hammered a superb ton in Raipur, announcing that he is more than ready for the big stage.
However, both Jaiswal and Gaikwad are likely to sit out when the captain and vice-captain arrive. This is what Gambhir told the media after the Vizag win. More importantly, both are in the plans for the ODI World Cup 2027. With more than 20 ODIs still to go till the biggest cricketing tournament comes, India want to build a pool of players that can help them lift the title. Gambhir, who was in a fiery mood at the press conference, revealed that Gill and Iyer would walk in the lineup when they’d be available.
Gambhir reveals ODI World Cup roadmap
“Try and give them opportunities wherever we can, because we want a reasonable group of players – probably around 20-25 – before the World Cup. So whenever we are able to give them opportunities, we’ll do that. But once your captain and vice-captain are back, obviously they are your starters. They (Gaikwad and Jaiswal) should be ready whenever they get that opportunity,” Gambhir said.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are on the wrong side of their 30s. While their form remains exceptional, one can’t predict what’s in the line after a year or so. Hence, keeping options of young guns is a shrewd thing. It would keep the backups on their toes and the quality that both Gaikwad and Jaiswal possess, it might be hard to keep them away for long.
India’s next ODI assignment would be another home series when New Zealand arrive on the Indian shores. The 3-match ODI series would start in January, with Vadodara, Rajkot and Indore hosting the matches. Before that, the likes of Rohit and Kohli are likely to feature in some Vijay Hazare Trophy (50-over domestic cricket) matches.
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