Fresh off India’s successful title defence in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, head coach Gautam Gambhir has already begun looking ahead to the next major challenge — the ICC Cricket World Cup. While the team is still celebrating its latest global triumph, Gambhir confirmed that preparations for the ODI showpiece will soon begin after the conclusion of the Indian Premier League 2026 season.
The 2027 ODI World Cup will take place in the demanding conditions of South Africa, with Namibia and Zimbabwe serving as co-hosts. Known for fast, bouncy pitches, South Africa often tests batters and bowlers differently from subcontinental conditions, making early planning essential for teams targeting success.
“The planning for the 2027 World Cup will start after the IPL. There are 25 to 30 ODIs between IPL 2026 and the World Cup. This format is not played a lot these days. The earlier we start planning, the better it will be for us,” Gautam Gambhir said.
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India’s think tank is expected to spend the coming months evaluating player roles, combinations, and squad balance for those conditions. The availability of nearly 25–30 ODI matches before the tournament provides an opportunity to experiment and clarify team selection.
“South Africa is not an easy place to play cricket. We have to figure out combinations and identify the players who are suited to the conditions. The selectors and the coaches will do that. By the time IPL 2026 ends, India will have a blueprint for the ODI World Cup 2027,” Gautam Gambhir added.
Meanwhile, attention will soon turn to India’s experienced batting duo — Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma — when the team resumes ODI action later this year. India’s next assignment is a three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, starting on June 14. Afghanistan impressed many in the previous ODI World Cup and narrowly missed a semi-final berth, making them a competitive opponent.
Following that series, India will travel to England to face the England cricket team in another three-match ODI contest. The upcoming matches could prove significant for both Rohit and Kohli as India gradually shapes its squad for the 2027 World Cup. Kohli has been in exceptional ODI form recently, scoring heavily against teams like South Africa and New Zealand.
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In contrast, Rohit endured a relatively quiet series against New Zealand but appears determined to bounce back. The Indian captain has reportedly focused on improving his fitness in Mumbai and has been training alongside promising youngster Angkrish Raghuvanshi. Before those ODI fixtures begin, both players will return to action in the IPL 2026 season, which will mark the starting point of India’s long-term preparations for the next 50-over World Cup.
