India’s focus is gradually shifting towards the 2027 ODI World Cup, with the next few months expected to provide an early indication of how the team intends to navigate a campaign that will blend established stars with the next generation of leaders. A report by Times of India‘s Arani Basu has drawn attention to discussions within the setup over the direction of the ODI side as preparations begin for the tournament in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
A new chapter in India’s ODI cycle
The upcoming home series against Afghanistan and a subsequent tour of England will represent the first major steps in India’s build-up to the next World Cup. While the nucleus of the squad remains familiar, the team enters this cycle at a different stage than previous campaigns.
Several senior players continue to play important roles despite stepping away from other international formats, while a younger leadership group is being tasked with guiding the team through the next phase. The challenge over the coming 16 months will be balancing experience, succession planning and performance as India seek to remain among the leading ODI sides.
That task has taken on added significance following a mixed run of results in the format since the last World Cup. Although India lifted the Champions Trophy in 2025 under Gautam Gambhir, the period also included ODI series defeats against Sri Lanka, Australia and New Zealand.
Senior experience remains a key asset
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma remain central figures in India’s ODI plans despite retiring from Test and T20I cricket during the 2024-25 period. Their presence provides continuity as the team prepares for another World Cup campaign.
Kohli finished 2025 as India’s leading ODI run-scorer during the South Africa tour and was named Player of the Series. However, he is expected to miss the Afghanistan series because of a hamstring injury.
Rohit also enjoyed a productive year in the format, ending 2025 as India’s second-highest ODI run-scorer and collecting Player of the Series honours during the Australia tour. He is expected to return for the Afghanistan series after receiving clearance from the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence.
Hardik Pandya remains part of India’s plans as well, although injury concerns are reportedly set to keep him out of the Afghanistan series. His contribution as an all-rounder continues to be an important consideration as the squad takes shape.
Spotlight falls on leadership group
As India prepare for a lengthy World Cup cycle, attention is also turning towards the responsibilities of those leading the side on and off the field.
Shubman Gill is still searching for his first ODI series victory as captain after his maiden assignment in charge ended in a home defeat to New Zealand earlier this year. Gambhir, meanwhile, has spent much of his tenure dealing with developments in Test cricket and overseeing India’s progress in T20 internationals.
Against that backdrop, the TOI report highlighted discussions around how leadership responsibilities are expected to evolve within the ODI setup. Questions around communication, role definition and long-term planning have emerged as part of those discussions.
A BCCI source told The Times of India, “With such big players in the team, Gill needs to have a stronger say in the dressing room. Gambhir hasn’t got involved in the planning as intently as he has done in the other two formats. So far, he has let things take their course.”
The selection committee had been expected to announce the ODI squad for the England assignment earlier this month, but only the T20I squads were named at that stage. With preparations now accelerating, decisions surrounding roles, squad composition and long-term planning are expected to become increasingly important.
The source added, “Now that the focus has shifted to the preparation for the ODI World Cup, one may expect Gambhir and Gill to take charge and firmly communicate their ideas in the dressing room. It is important that the senior players, who have served India with distinction for so many years, are conveyed what role the team expects them to play and the plan for the build-up over the next 16 months.”
Afghanistan and England series provide early indicators
While the World Cup remains more than a year away, the upcoming ODI assignments are expected to offer valuable insight into how India intend to structure the next stage of the cycle.
Beyond results, the months ahead will provide opportunities to establish leadership responsibilities, define the contribution expected from senior players and assess the balance of a squad that is attempting to compete in the present while also planning for the future.
