Coach Gautam Gambhir has described the 2027 ODI World Cup as the next mission of Team India. Its roadmap will be made after IPL. There is a demand to include T20 hero Sanju Samson in the ODI team, whose selection will depend on IPL performance.
Mumbai: After winning the T20 World Cup title, Team India’s next mission is the 2027 ODI World Cup. This thing has been made clear by the new coach Gautam Gambhir. He said that after the end of the Indian Premier League (IPL) season starting in late March, the team management will prepare a concrete roadmap for the World Cup. Gambhir also said that before the World Cup, India will play around 25 to 30 ODI matches. This World Cup is to be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
After this statement of Gambhir, the demand to include T20 World Cup hero Sanju Samson in the ODI team has intensified. Sanju had scored 321 runs in 5 matches in the T20 World Cup, but his place in the ODI team will be decided only after seeing his IPL performance. Gambhir said, “Planning for the 2027 World Cup will start after the IPL. During this period, whatever ODI matches we get, we will make good use of them. We have to find players according to the conditions in South Africa and make the right team combination.
Recall that Sanju had scored a century in his last ODI match played in South Africa in 2023. But after this he did not get a chance in the team. Not only this, Sanju’s record on the pitches of South Africa is also quite good. Gambhir’s words are indicating increasing opportunities for Sanju. Currently, KL Rahul is India’s main wicketkeeper in ODIs. But Sanju cannot be ignored, especially because Gambhir also likes him. Meanwhile, demand is also being raised on social media to recall Sanju in the ODI team. See some posts on X…
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The team management is considering Sanju as a specialist backup wicketkeeper along with KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant as well as a batsman. In the presence of Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli, it is impossible for Sanju to make a place in the top 3. He may get a chance only in the middle order. But it will not be easy for Sanju to make a place in the middle order with Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul. Sanju’s figures in ODI cricket are also excellent. His ODI batting average is 56.66, which is higher than many current senior players.
India’s upcoming ODI matches
1. vs Afghanistan: 3rd ODI (from June 14)
2. vs England: 3rd ODI (after Afghanistan series)