India captain Shubman Gill has reaffirmed that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma remain integral to the team’s plans for the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup, putting to rest speculation over the future of the veteran stars.
Speaking ahead of the first ODI against England at Edgbaston, Birmingham, Gill revealed that he recently had an in-depth discussion with Kohli about the team’s future combinations and preparations for the marquee tournament.
Gill Opens Up on Discussion With Kohli
Gill said the conversation focused on identifying the best possible combinations and building squad depth ahead of the World Cup.
“We were talking about the combination. Which combination would be best for us, which players are there who may not be in the team right now but can help us in the future, which bowlers, which all-rounders, which spinners. We were talking about all of that,” Gill said during the pre-match press conference.
The remarks strongly indicate that Kohli continues to play a significant role in shaping India’s ODI plans.
Kohli and Rohit Still India’s Backbone
Gill was emphatic about the importance of India’s two most experienced batters.
“Virat bhai (Kohli) and Rohit bhai (Sharma) have been the backbone of the Indian batting line-up for the past decade. They remain a very integral part of our team. The experience and skill they bring are obviously very valuable.”
India begin a three-match ODI series against England on Tuesday, with the tour forming an important part of the team’s preparations for the 2027 World Cup, which will be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Focus on Building the Right Combination
Gill explained that the management is using the ODI series to identify the ideal squad combinations for conditions expected during the 2027 World Cup.
“Our preparation for the (2027) World Cup is very different. Our mindset is to see what kind of combination we can try. The wickets we are likely to get in South Africa will be similar to what we get here, so this is a very important series for us.”
India Looking to Expand Player Pool
The India skipper also stressed the need to give opportunities to emerging players while maintaining a settled core.
“I don’t think there are any concerning areas. It’s not like we have an unsettled XI. But you have to give chances to new players. The more experience they get in pressure situations and the more they perform, the better it will be for us before the World Cup.”
According to Gill, increasing the team’s depth will be a key objective over the next year as India build towards cricket’s biggest 50-over tournament.
T20I Series Loss Won’t Affect ODI Mindset
India head into the ODI series after disappointing T20I defeats against Ireland and England, but Gill believes the results will have no bearing on the team’s approach in the longer white-ball format.
“I don’t think it will have any impact. It’s a different format, a different team and a different goal. It’s a different atmosphere and it will be a different feeling,” he said.
With experienced stars like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma continuing to anchor the squad alongside a new generation led by Gill, India will look to begin their ODI World Cup preparations on a positive note against England.