Mumbai: Indian cricket legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma currently represent the national team exclusively in the One-Day International format, having announced their retirements from Test and T20 International cricket.
As part of India’s preparation strategy for the 2027 ODI World Cup, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is exploring a major addition to the schedule. Reports indicate that the board is in discussions with Cricket South Africa (CSA) to organize a six-match ODI series in South Africa.
This update has brought enthusiasm to fans of Kohli and Sharma. The 2027 ODI World Cup will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
The proposal emerged following a request from the Indian team management, which emphasized the need for the squad to gain substantial match practice in conditions similar to those expected at the marquee event.
According to a report by The Indian Express, the BCCI reached out to CSA to discuss hosting the ODI series shortly after IPL 2027. While discussions are ongoing, the series has not yet been officially finalized.
The primary objective remains to offer players adequate experience in South African conditions before the World Cup begins. Playing an extended ODI series in the host nation will allow the management to assess combination options and fine-tune strategy.
Previous ODI Series in 2023
The Indian team last played an ODI series in South Africa back in December 2023. The proposed 2027 tour will offer the squad another valuable opportunity to acclimatize to 50-over cricket in the region prior to the World Cup.
Later this month, India will face the West Indies in a three-match ODI series, though several key players may miss out due to their participation in the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. Following that, India will travel to New Zealand for an all-format tour featuring five ODIs. The team is then scheduled to host Sri Lanka for three ODIs in December, followed by a three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe in early 2027.