Following India’s emphatic T20 World Cup victory over New Zealand on March 8, Gambhir stated that early preparation is crucial, given the limited number of ODIs played in the modern calendar. “There are 25 to 30 ODIs between IPL 2026 and the World Cup. This format is not played frequently these days. The earlier we start planning, the better it will be for us,” he told India Today.
The 2027 ODI World Cup will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, where the bouncy pitches will present a challenge for visiting teams. Gambhir highlighted the importance of selecting the right players and combinations suited to these conditions. “South Africa is not an easy place to play cricket. We have to figure out combinations and identify the players who are best suited. The selectors and coaches will work on that. By the time IPL 2026 ends, India will have a blueprint for the ODI World Cup 2027,” he added.
A key point of discussion remains the future of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, both of whom have expressed their desire to feature in the 2027 tournament. Kohli enters the IPL on the back of an excellent run, scoring three centuries in six matches against New Zealand and South Africa, while Rohit is determined to rediscover his form despite a lean patch.
Both stars will feature in the upcoming IPL, representing Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Mumbai Indians respectively, with Gambhir confident that the league will help in finalizing strategies and combinations ahead of the World Cup.
