India captain Shubman Gill has revealed that his conversation with Virat Kohli during a practice session the other day was centred around India’s road map for the 2027 ODI World Cup, with discussions focusing on finding the right team combination for the tournament.
When asked about his interaction with Kohli, Gill said the conversation revolved around the players India could rely on over the next two years.
“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 at pre-match press conference ahead of the first ODI against England at Edgbaston on Tuesday.
The India skipper also dismissed suggestions that the team’s recent struggles in the T20I series against England would carry over to the ODI series.
“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.
Gill stressed that the England ODIs are an important part of India’s preparations for the 2027 World Cup, with an emphasis on understanding the best combinations in conditions similar to those expected in South Africa.
“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,” he said.
While Gill believes that India already have a settled core, he feels it is equally important to give younger players opportunities before the World Cup.
“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, the better it will be for us before the World Cup,” he said.
Gill admitted that injuries to Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana have disrupted some of the team’s plans, as the management had hoped to give them more game time before the global tournament.
“We wanted players like them to play as many matches as possible before the World Cup so that when their opportunity comes, they feel settled,” he added.
While Gill believes the core of the squad is already in place, he stressed that the team management wants to expand its pool of players before the World Cup.
“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.”
He admitted injuries have slightly altered India’s plans.
Speaking about the senior members of the squad, Gill said, “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.”
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