Shubman Gill outlines India's 2027 ODI World Cup preparation with Virat Kohli

Shubman Gill Virat Kohli 2027 ODI World Cup India England ODI series team combination

India’s new ODI captain Shubman Gill said the three‑match series against England is being used to fine‑tune the team for the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup in South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe. In a practice session at Edgbaston, Gill and former skipper Virat Kohli discussed the ideal team combination, including which bowlers, all‑rounders and spinners could contribute in the upcoming tournament.

Gill emphasized that the series is a separate challenge from the recent T20I losses and that the focus is on building a squad suited to South African conditions. He noted the return of senior batsmen Rohit Sharma and Kohli, the comeback of pacer Jasprit Bumrah, and the ongoing injury concerns for all‑rounders Hardik Pandya, Nitish K Reddy and Harshit Rana. The captain also highlighted the need to give younger players exposure before the World Cup.

The discussions reflect India’s broader strategy of using bilateral series as preparation for the next major ICC event, with Gill describing the ODI World Cup as the most prestigious of all world cups.