Some senior members of Team India are reportedly not on the same wavelength as the team management regarding the planning for the ODI World Cup 2027. The head coach and the selectors have taken some brave, long-term calls in the 50-over setup, which include removing Rohit Sharma as captain.
Since their stunning run in the previous edition of the ODI World Cup, Team India have not been their dominant self in the format, and have been rather shaky. Although they won the Champions Trophy 2025 under Gautam Gambhir’s reign as head coach, there have also been alarming series losses to Sri Lanka, Australia, and New Zealand.
Shubman Gill is yet to record a single ODI series win as captain, as his maiden assignment at home also ended in a loss at the start of the year against the Blackcaps. The selection committee were expected to announce the squad for the away ODI series against England on June 6, but only announced the T20I squads. The team for the three-match affair is expected to be named on a later date.
Amid the confusion in the ODI setup, particularly whether there is a place for senior members like Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja, some of the players have taken the issue up with the team management, seeking clarity.
“The team management and some of the senior players need to be brought on the same page. It has also been learnt that a few senior players have been in constant touch with the power forces in BCCI to get clarity about the plans going into 2027,” a Times of India report read.
The report also suggested that Shubman Gill has to be more authoritative while managing the veteran players and needs to stamp his identity into the team along with head coach Gautam Gambhir.
“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 its course,” the source said.
“Now that the focus has shifted on 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’s 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 buildup over the next 16 months,” the source added.
Since their Champions Trophy success in early 2025, Team India have only won four out of their last nine ODIs.
Team India will face Afghanistan in a 3-match ODI series in June
After completing a comprehensive win by an innings and 300 runs in the one-off Test against Afghanistan in Mullanpur, the Men in Blue will face their subcontinent rivals in a three-match ODI series. This marks the first-ever bilateral ODI series between the two teams.
The series is scheduled to begin with the first ODI on Saturday, June 13, at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala.
Edited by Gokul Nair
