India will open their 2027 ODI World Cup campaign against Australia on October 7.
India captain Shubman Gill described the upcoming 2027 ODI World Cup as "unfinished business", reflecting on the team’s dominant run and heartbreaking defeat in the 2023 World Cup final.
Gill noted that while India looked like the tournament's best side throughout 2023, a single off-day in the final against Australia cost them the trophy.
"Yes, absolutely, it's unfinished business because of the way we played throughout that World Cup. We were looking like the best team in the tournament. But World Cups are like that. You might play the entire tournament well, but you don't play one game well, and that game could be the final of the World Cup," Gill told JioStar.
"So definitely, it is unfinished business. And as a player, you don't get that many opportunities to represent your country in a World Cup. There could be two, three, four, five, you never know. So, every World Cup that you play for your country is a big honour. So, very grateful to be able to play another one," he added.
As the Indian think tank actively tests squad combinations, Gill's leadership philosophy leans heavily on keeping modern greats Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma deeply integrated into the 50-over setup.
"I feel extremely lucky. Virat bhai is probably the best ODI batter, and Rohit bhai is the best ODI opener in the world. And then to be able to have these two players in the team and their experience, and the moments that they have shared together, it's great, and we really enjoy having them in the team. And their experience is very valuable for us," he said.
Apart from Kohli and Rohit, Gill emphasized the advantage of having other senior players in the dressing room.
"Often, not just those two; I go to even KL or Shreyas, for that matter. I like to take everyone's opinion. "But most of the time, it happens that if they come to suggest something, then I might have thought about it. If I haven't thought about it, then I'll think about what their thoughts are, what their opinions are. So, you listen to everyone, see what they are thinking, and then what, according to me, would work best in that situation; I think learning comes from that," the skipper remarked.
Achieving the No. 1 ODI batting ranking during the 2023 World Cup served as the ultimate validation of his childhood dreams and immense talent. However, Gill has now transitioned his focus toward building a winning team culture, ensuring that his runs directly translate into victories for India.
"The first time when I became the number one-ranked batsman, I think it was during the 2023 World Cup. And it felt good. As a kid, you look at the rankings, so it was like a tick mark that, 'Okay, once I want to become the number one-ranked ODI batsman.' So it feels good, but I think right now it doesn't matter as much. For me, it's more important that if you step out in a match, go to bat, then how you can make the team win, how you can contribute," he said.
Gill views captaincy not as a burden or a childhood dream, but as a big responsibility and an honour. He believes that as long as he leads with the right intent, everything else will naturally fall into place.
"I look at it more like a responsibility. Even while growing up, it was not really my dream that I had to become India's captain one day. My dream was always to play for the country and win matches for my country, and that was always my aim growing up," he remarked.
"So, when I got this opportunity to captain, obviously, it was a big honour and a big responsibility. And I look at it as I have been given the responsibility of the team, and that makes things a lot easier for me. I don't feel that much pressure about this thing because I feel that if I do things with the right intent, then everything will fall into place."