The Ultimate Goal: South Africa 2027
For ODI skipper Shubman Gill, the sting of the 2023 World Cup final defeat remains a powerful motivator. Despite a flawless unbeaten run leading up to the final, India fell short against Australia. Now, Gill is looking ahead to the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup, to be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
“Winning a World Cup in any format for the country is the ultimate goal,” Gill told Star Sports. “We felt like we were so close last time. To be able to get another crack at it in South Africa is going to be a great opportunity.”
India is chasing its third ODI crown, following the historic 1983 triumph and the iconic 2011 victory at the Wankhede Stadium.
The “Spark” of 2024
T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav echoed this sentiment, admitting he would love to “replay and win” the 2023 final at Ahmedabad. However, he noted that the T20 World Cup win in 2024 acted as a psychological breakthrough for Indian cricket.
Since that “spark,” India has enjoyed an unprecedented run of success, including:
The 2025 Champions Trophy
The 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup
The 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup
“That one step was important for everyone to understand what it takes to win an ICC trophy,” Suryakumar said. “Now, there is no looking back. Let’s try and collect as many as possible.”
Tournament Outlook: 2027
The 2027 edition will see the tournament expand to 14 teams, returning to the African continent for the first time since 2003. With a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars like Gill at the helm, India’s “Mission 2027” is officially underway.
