The disappointing T20I defeats against Ireland and England are now firmly in the rear-view mirror as Team India shifts its focus to the three-match ODI series against England, which begins on Tuesday, July 14, at Edgbaston. Ahead of the series opener, India captain Shubman Gill revealed that he has recently held detailed discussions with Virat Kohli regarding the team’s preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Speaking to reporters on the eve of the first ODI, Gill said the management has already started identifying the core group of players expected to form India’s squad for the marquee event in South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe next year.
With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma having retired from Test cricket last year, speculation has continued over their ODI futures. While both veterans have delivered impactful performances in the format, uncertainty remained over whether they would continue until the next World Cup.
Gill, however, put those rumours to rest by confirming that Kohli remains a key part of India’s long-term plans.
“There is absolutely no doubt about Virat Kohli’s place in our plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup. He will definitely play a very important role for us in that tournament. Having a senior player of his calibre in the team is a huge advantage,” Gill said.
The India skipper also revealed that he and Kohli recently discussed potential combinations for the World Cup squad.
“In fact, just the day before yesterday, I was discussing our plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup with him. We talked about team combinations, which players could be part of the squad, who might not be, and where each player would fit best within the team setup. So yes, Virat is fully prepared and motivated to play in the 2027 ODI World Cup,” Gill added.
Kohli has enjoyed an impressive run in ODI cricket, scoring heavily against New Zealand and South Africa. Although he endured two ducks against Australia last year, he rediscovered his touch with a crucial knock in the Sydney ODI and has looked in sublime form since.
The former India captain carried that momentum into IPL 2026, finishing with over 600 runs and playing a pivotal role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s successful title defence. During the tournament, Kohli had also made it clear that representing India at the 2027 ODI World Cup remains one of his biggest goals.
Gill also reiterated the importance of both Kohli and Rohit Sharma to the current Indian setup, describing the experienced duo as invaluable leaders.
“Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been the backbone of the Indian batting lineup for the past decade, and both remain an integral part of the team. The experience and skill they bring are extremely valuable. We’ve seen what they have done across different conditions over the years, and every player in the squad looks up to them,” Gill said.
Kohli missed India’s previous ODI series against Afghanistan due to a hamstring injury, while Rohit Sharma registered a half-century in the final ODI after getting starts in the opening two matches. Both veterans are now set to return as India begin their preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup in earnest.
