Several senior Indian players are reportedly unhappy with the team management’s approach towards preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup. The coaching staff and selectors have already made some bold long-term decisions in the format, including replacing Rohit Sharma as captain.
Since their impressive campaign in the last ODI World Cup, Team India have struggled to maintain consistency in the 50-over format. Although India lifted the 2025 Champions Trophy under head coach Gautam Gambhir, the side has also suffered concerning series defeats against Sri Lanka, Australia, and New Zealand.
New captain Shubman Gill is still searching for his first ODI series victory as skipper after losing his debut assignment at home to New Zealand earlier this year. While the selectors announced only the T20I squads for the England tour on June 6, the ODI squad for the three-match series is expected to be revealed later.
Amid uncertainty surrounding India’s ODI plans, especially regarding the futures of experienced players like Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja, some senior members of the squad have reportedly approached the management for clearer communication over their roles and the team’s direction.
“The team management and some of the senior players need to be brought on the same page. It has also been learnt that a few senior players have been in constant touch with the power forces in BCCI to get clarity about the plans going into 2027,” a Times of India report read.
The report further stated that Shubman Gill needs to take a firmer approach in handling the senior players and establish his own leadership style alongside head coach Gautam Gambhir.
“With such big players in the team, Gill needs to have a stronger say in the dressing room. Gambhir hasn’t got involved in the planning as intently as he has done in the other two formats. So far, he has let things take its course,” the source said.
“Now that the focus has shifted on the preparation for the ODI World Cup, one may expect Gambhir and Gill to take charge and firmly communicate their ideas in the dressing room. It’s important that the senior players, who have served India with distinction for so many years, are conveyed what role the team expects them to play and the plan for the buildup over the next 16 months,” the source added.
Team India to Play Three-Match ODI Series Against Afghanistan in June
Following their dominant innings-and-300-run victory over Afghanistan in the one-off Test at Mullanpur, the Men in Blue are set to take on their Asian rivals in a three-match ODI series. Notably, this will be the first bilateral ODI series contested between the two sides.
The opening ODI is scheduled to be played on Saturday, June 13, at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala.
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