India will begin an important phase of their preparations for the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup on Tuesday when they face England in a three-match ODI series.
The return of senior stars Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah is expected to provide a major boost as the team starts building towards cricket’s biggest 50-over tournament.
After a disappointing T20I series against England, India will be eager to make a strong comeback in the ODI format. The visitors will take the field at Edgbaston with a squad that blends experienced campaigners with an emerging group of players under the leadership of Shubman Gill.
The comeback of Rohit, Kohli and Bumrah brings valuable experience, leadership and composure to the side. Their presence is expected to strengthen a team that has been searching for consistency in one-day cricket and provide much-needed guidance to the younger players.
The series also marks the beginning of India’s long-term ODI roadmap. With the countdown to the 2027 World Cup already underway, every match will be an opportunity to identify the right combinations and establish a settled playing XI.
India have plenty of talented players at their disposal, but converting that talent into a balanced, championship-winning unit will be the team’s biggest challenge over the coming months.
Captain Shubman Gill will have the advantage of learning alongside some of India’s most experienced cricketers. The batting unit also receives a boost with the inclusion of KL Rahul, whose return adds stability and depth to the middle order.
For India, the immediate objective will be to leave behind the disappointment of the T20I series and begin the ODI campaign with renewed confidence. Along with individual performances, the role of the coaching staff in rebuilding momentum and team belief will be equally important.
England, meanwhile, will also view the series as a fresh opportunity. While they continue to be one of the stronger T20 sides, inconsistent displays in both Tests and ODIs have highlighted areas that need improvement. The hosts will be hoping opener Ben Duckett provides solid starts as they look to regain momentum in the 50-over format.
The upcoming series carries significance beyond the results alone. For India, it is the first major checkpoint in shaping a squad capable of challenging for the 2027 World Cup, while England will be aiming to re-establish themselves as a competitive ODI side.
With experienced match-winners returning to the squad and a young captain looking to make his mark, India have the opportunity to set the tone for the next phase of their ODI journey.
Squads
India: Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar, Prince Yadav.
England: Harry Brook (Captain), Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Jacob Bethell, James Coles, Will Jacks, Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Tom Banton, Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer, Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid, Josh Tongue.