Top News

India's captain, Shubman Gill, has put an end to the rumors about Virat Kohli's future in ODIs, confirming that the former skipper is still a vital part of the team's strategy for the 2027 ODI World Cup. 

Gill shared that he recently had an in-depth conversation with Kohli about India's plans for the prestigious ICC event, which is set to take place in South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe next year. 

As India gears up for their three-match ODI series against England, kicking off at Edgbaston on Tuesday, July 14, Gill took some time to speak with the media ahead of the first match. The 25-year-old mentioned that the team management has already begun to pinpoint the core group of players who are likely to be part of the 50-over World Cup. 

Also Read | Wasim Jaffer Defends Shreyas Iyer After India's Series Losses in Ireland and England

With both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma having retired from Test cricket last year, there has been a lot of speculation about how much longer this experienced duo will play in the ODI format. While they continue to deliver crucial performances, the uncertainty surrounding their participation in the upcoming World Cup has been a hot topic. Gill also revealed that he and Kohli discussed possible team combinations and the overall squad makeup for the global tournament. 

“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,” he added.

Kohli has been on a roll in ODIs lately, consistently performing well against New Zealand and South Africa. Despite facing a tough time with two ducks against Australia last year, he made a strong comeback with a key innings in the Sydney ODI and has been in fantastic form ever since.