Indian ODI captain Shubman Gill has thrown his support behind the ICC's decision to maintain the 50-over format, rejecting suggestions that it should be reduced to 40 overs. Speaking ahead of the opening ODI in Birmingham against England, Gill emphasized that the 50-over World Cup remains the pinnacle of the sport and an integral part of his childhood.
To inject new energy into the format, Gill suggested a return to triangular and quadrangular tournaments. He noted that playing against multiple teams in a single series is more engaging for both players and spectators than the current focus on bilateral series. Recalling the classic contests between India, Australia, and Sri Lanka, Gill stated that such multi-team formats would be a welcome addition to the international calendar.
Addressing recent form, the captain dismissed concerns that India’s 4-0 T20I series loss to England and a 2-0 defeat in Ireland would affect the ODI squad. Gill noted that the atmosphere, team composition, and goals for the one-day series are entirely different from the T20 format.
Regarding team selection, Gill confirmed that the squad remains settled despite recent injury setbacks to Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana. He stressed the importance of providing younger players with exposure to high-pressure situations leading up to the 2027 World Cup. The skipper revealed that he has been in discussions with senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to identify the best combinations for the future, including the integration of all-rounders and spinners. Gill also expressed confidence in Jasprit Bumrah, who is set to make his return to the ODI format for the first time since the 2023 World Cup final.
