New Delhi, oct 14
India head coach Gautam Gambhir offered a straightforward response when questioned about the ODI future of veteran duo of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, insisting that the team’s focus must remain on the present rather than on the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Speaking after India’s 2-0 Test series win over West Indies here, Gambhir said he expected the senior pair to make a strong impact in the upcoming ODI tour of Australia, starting October 19 in Pert.
Kohli and Rohit, both of whom have stepped away from Tests and T20Is, are set to return to action in the three-match ODI series under the leadership of Shubman Gill. Kohli arrived in the national capital early Tuesday and will join the squad before the team departs for Australia on Wednesday.
“Look, ODI World Cup is still about two and a half years away and I think it is very important to stay in the present. Obviously, there are quality players coming back and their experience is going to be helpful in Australia as well. Hopefully, those two guys will have a successful tour and more importantly, as a team, we will have a successful tour,” Gambhir said at the post-match press conference.
The tour of Australia marks the beginning of a busy stretch for India, with five T20Is to follow and an all-format home series against South Africa lined up for November and December. With players constantly switching between formats, Gambhir stressed on the importance of preparation and match readiness through domestic cricket.
“In fact, I was thinking when I was coming for this press conference that it is tough on players, especially as we are playing all the three formats. But I thought that the best thing that happened in this series was the way the Test guys prepared actually before the series, going to play the India A game against Australia A was very, very important. Playing Ranji Trophy before the South Africa series is going to be equally important as well,” he noted.
Gambhir praised the current group for their commitment to preparation, adding that their approach was visible in India’s recent Test performances.
