The India men’s cricket team’s preparations for the ODI World Cup 2027 have commenced. India’s ODI captain, Shubman Gill, has confirmed that the Men in Blue have already commenced discussions around which batters, bowlers, and all-rounders could be in the scheme of things for South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia in October to November 2027.
Gill has himself played in one ODI World Cup, in 2023, and has been playing 50-over cricket for India since 2019. By all metrics, he’s an experienced international player. However, there’s no harm in consulting others, especially when you have a former captain like Virat Kohli by your side.
Kohli to advice Gill on Rohit Sharma’s future
It’ll be foolish not to consult with him. However, one mustn’t forget that Kohli’s isn’t the only former skipper in the team. Rohit Sharma, who was Gill’s predecessor, also has vast experience both as a captain and a batter. However, Gill didn’t mention him. That probably means that Rohit isn’t 100% certain to play the next ODI World Cup.
Reports have been swirling around about Rohit’s future after Yashasvi Jaiswal, his backup, smashed a hundred against Afghanistan and has 2 centuries in his last 3 ODI matches. Rohit has also had fitness issues, and he isn’t a spring chicken at 39. Gill seeking Kohli’s advice means they’ll also discuss whether Team India should continue with Rohit along with other things.
“We (Kohli and him) were talking about the combination. Which combination would be best for us in South Africa (for the ODI World Cup 2027)? Which players are there who may not be in the team now, but who can help us in the future? Which bowlers, which all-rounders, which spinners,” Gill told reporters in Birmingham.
In the next 6 months, India will play 15 ODIs. There’ll be a long break after that. Once the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2027 concludes in late May, we’ll see the Men in Blue play more 50-over matches, including an Asia Cup.
India’s ODI schedule until May 2027
| Series | ODIs | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| England vs India | 3 | July 2026 | Away |
| India vs West Indies | 3 | September-October 2026 | Home |
| New Zealand vs India | 3 | October-November 2026 | Away |
| India vs Sri Lanka | 3 | December 2026 | Home |
| India vs Zimbabwe | 3 | January 2027 | Home |
Cricket
Harmanpreet Kaur's Team India hands hosts England humiliation, 270-run defeat at iconic Lord's Test
