India captain Shubman Gill has rejected suggestions to reduce One-Day Internationals to 40 overs, saying the 50-over format still has enough value to remain relevant. Instead, Gill believes the ICC and member boards should bring back triangular and quadrangular series to make ODIs more competitive and engaging for fans.

ODI cricket has been under pressure in recent years, with T20Is and franchise leagues steadily taking over the global calendar. There has also been talk of the ICC moving to a 40-over format, a proposal discussed at its Annual Conference in Edinburgh. Gill, however, made it clear that shortening the game is not the answer.

“I don’t think it should be 40 overs,” Shubman Gill said on the eve of India’s first ODI against England in Birmingham on Tuesday.

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The 26-year-old pointed out that multi-team tournaments once played a major role in keeping ODI cricket exciting. He recalled how triangular series featuring teams like India, Australia and Sri Lanka were popular with both players and spectators because they offered variety, different conditions and stronger competition.

🚨 Shubman Gill was asked in the press conference whether ODI cricket should be reduced from 50 overs to 40 overs.

– He started answering in English but switched to Urdu/Hindi midway.

– Yet these are the same people who love mocking Pakistanis over their English. The irony. 🤷… pic.twitter.com/d0C6Yb5j1L

— Talha Nawaz (@TalhaDigital007) July 13, 2026

“We used to play a lot of triangular series and it was a lot of fun to watch. You are not playing only one team. You are playing against two different teams at different venues. So if we want to make this format interesting, instead of bilateral series, we should have triangular or even quadrangular series,” Shubman Gill said.

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Gill also underlined the emotional and historic importance of the 50-over World Cup, calling it the most prestigious title in cricket. He said he grew up watching ODI cricket and that the 50-over World Cup remains the first tournament that comes to mind when thinking about greatness in the sport.

“For me, the most prestigious World Cup is the 50-over World Cup. If you want to win one, that is the one,” he added.