India’s ODI skipper Shubman Gill on Monday (July 13) reaffirmed that veteran batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma remain central to the team's plans for the 2027 World Cup.
Addressing speculation on the eve of the ODI series opener against England at Edgbaston, Gill emphasized that the pair's vast experience, skill, and match-winning pedigree make them invaluable assets to the squad.
“Virat Bhai and Rohit Bhai, they have been the backbone of Indian batting lineup for the past decade. And they remain a very integral part of our team,” Gill told reporters.
“The experience and the skill that they bring to the team is obviously very valuable. We have seen what they have done over the past decade in different conditions, repetitively, consistently, in a number of matches, different tournaments, different occasions,” he added.
Gill stressed that a line-up featuring experienced players provides an unmatched "sense of calmness" when navigating high-pressure match situations.
“If there is an experienced line-up in any team, then I think in a pressure situation, experience helps you a lot. Because you have been in that situation many times, and you have done good and bad. So, I think you get a sense of calmness when you are under pressure,” he stated.
Gill also opened up about having discussions with Kohli regarding preparations for the quadrennial event, suggesting that the former captain is certainly in the scheme of things.
“In fact, just the day before yesterday, I was discussing our plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup with him. We talked about team combinations, which players could be part of the squad, which players could be crucial for us even if they aren't part of the squad right now, and where each player would fit best within the team setup," Gill said in the pre-match presser.
While the Indian management is using the bilateral series to fine-tune combinations for the 2027 World Cup, Gill said the team's ultimate objective is to maintain a settled core to ensure tournament readiness.
“I don't think it's an unsettled XI... you have to give a chance to the new players. You have to give them experience,” he remarked.
