India’s Shubman Gill advocates for 50-over format and multi-nation tournaments ahead of the ODI series against England, marking 2027 World Cup preparations.
India captain Shubman Gill has affirmed his belief in the 50-over format, advocating for its continuation without changes. He also suggested the reintroduction of multi-nation tournaments, such as triangular or quadrangular series, to enhance the appeal of bilateral cricket. Gill’s remarks came ahead of the first One-Day International (ODI) against England at Edgbaston.
Gill dismissed suggestions of reducing the ODI format to 40 overs, stating that the 50-over World Cup remains the pinnacle of ODI cricket. He reflected on his childhood, noting that the 50-over format was a significant part of his upbringing and that the 50-over World Cup is the most prestigious tournament.
Instead of altering the format, Gill believes that more frequent multi-nation tournaments would make ODI cricket more engaging for both players and fans. He recalled the enjoyment of past triangular series, where teams like India, Australia, and Sri Lanka played in different venues. He suggested that such series, or even quadrangular series, would be more interesting to play and watch compared to bilateral series.
India is set to commence a three-match ODI series, aiming to recover from recent white-ball performances that included a 2-0 loss in Ireland and a 4-0 defeat in the T20I series against England. The team’s focus is also on the upcoming 2027 ODI World Cup, which will be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
Planning for the Future
Gill, who took on captaincy duties in the ODI format late last year, indicated that every series from now on will be crucial for determining team combinations and preparing for conditions in South Africa. He emphasised that the mindset is to find combinations and adapt to wickets that will be similar to those expected in South Africa, making the current series important for the team.
The captain revealed that he has already started planning for the 2027 ODI World Cup, engaging in discussions with Virat Kohli. Their conversations at the nets revolved around the ideal squad composition for the conditions in South Africa, including identifying potential players who might not currently be in the team but could contribute in the future. They discussed various aspects, such as bowlers, all-rounders, and spinners.
Gill also welcomed the return of Jasprit Bumrah to the ODI squad. Bumrah is rejoining the team after being rested to manage his workload following the IPL 2026. Gill expressed hope that Bumrah has had sufficient overs leading up to the ODI series and that the series will go well for him, contributing to a series victory for India.
Team Dynamics and Challenges
The path to the World Cup is not without its challenges for India, particularly concerning injuries to all-rounders. Hardik Pandya is not part of the current team, and Nitish K Reddy is injured. Harshit Rana, after returning from an injury, has reportedly re-joined the injury list. Additionally, Kuldeep Yadav‘s form and wicket-taking ability are being monitored.
The future roles of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the team have also been a topic of discussion. Gill confirmed that he had a detailed conversation with Kohli about team combinations. He reiterated that both Kohli and Sharma remain integral to India‘s batting lineup, highlighting their experience and skill as valuable assets to the team.
While the top five batting positions, including Rohit, Gill, Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul, appear settled, the all-rounder slots and player fitness remain areas of concern. In the bowling department, Bumrah‘s return and Mohammed Siraj‘s consistent presence are key. The team will also be observing Pandya‘s return and Kuldeep‘s form. India has 12 ODIs scheduled until next April, including series against England and New Zealand away, and against Sri Lanka and the West Indies at home, to finalise their main squad and backup options.
Gill also extended congratulations to the Indian women’s team for their significant 270-run victory over England in the first-ever women’s Test at Lord’s. He described it as a proud moment for India, acknowledging the special nature of playing and winning at Lord’s.
The next 14 months will be crucial for Gill to establish his leadership within the Indian men’s team, especially with other former captains in the playing XI.
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Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
