New Delhi: The Men in Blue have started their preparations for the which will be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
As part of these preparations, and Co. could play an ODI series in South Africa next year just before the start of the World Cup.
According to the Indian Express report, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is in talks with Cricket South Africa (CSA) for an ODI series in the second half of 2027. The request for the series was made by the Indian team management, with the matches expected to be crucial for Shubman Gill and Co. as they prepare for the mega tournament.
The Men in Blue last played an ODI series against South Africa at home in December 2023. KL Rahul led the Indian team in that series as both sides rested their first-choice players to keep them fresh for the two-match Test series that followed after that.
The ODI series in South Africa next year will help Team India to become familiar with the conditions there ahead of the ODI World Cup 2027. The tournament will be played on eight venues in South Africa in October and November 2027, while some matches will also be played at three venues across Zimbabwe and one in Namibia.
South Africa last hosted a men’s ICC World Cup in 2007, when India won the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup under MS Dhoni’s leadership. In the last ODI World Cup hosted in South Africa, India reached the final but suffered a 125-run defeat to Australia in Johannesburg.
The Men in Blue also suffered a heartbreaking defeat against the Aussies in the last edition of the ODI World Cup, when they won 10 consecutive matches but lost the final in Ahmedabad on November 19, 2023. The ODI World Cup 2027 will feature 14 sides and will include a Super Series round before the group stages, followed by a Super 7 stage before the semi-finals.
India’s ODI record in South Africa
Both sides last played an ODI series in South Africa in December 2023, when the Men in Blue secured a 2-1 victory. Overall, India have played 59 ODI games in South Africa but managed to win only 24. They have suffered 31 losses in the Rainbow Nation, while three matches ended in no result and one ended in a tie.