Shubman Gill Targets 2027 ODI World Cup Glory After 2023 Final Heartbreak
India ODI captain Shubman Gill said his biggest aim is to win the 2027 ODI World Cup, especially after India came very close in 2023. India had reached the final unbeaten, but lost the title match to Australia.
"Definitely, it does. That is the ultimate goal," Gill said on Star Sports during the BCCI awards. "We felt like we were so close last time when we were here in [the final] in India. To be able to get another crack at it in South Africa, it's going to be a great opportunity for us.
"Winning a World Cup in any format for the country is the ultimate goal. So obviously, that is something that sometimes runs in my mind."
Gill targets 2027 World Cup, while Suryakumar wants one more shot at the 2023 final
The 2027 ODI World Cup will be played between 14 teams in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, and is scheduled for October-November. India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav said that if he could replay one match, it would be the 2023 ODI World Cup final, and this time, he would want India to win it.
"Definitely, 2023 World Cup final at Ahmedabad. [I would] love to replay that and win it," he said.
Suryakumar also said that India’s 2024 T20 World Cup win inspired other Indian teams. After that, teams from different age groups and both men’s and women’s cricket went on to win ICC trophies too. "I think we just needed that one spark, or one step, which we actually crossed in 2024, and post that, 2025 Champions Trophy, then [the] women's team winning that ODI World Cup back in 2025, and then [men winning in] 2026," he said.
"That one step was important, that taste was important for everyone to understand what it takes to win an ICC trophy. Now, there is no looking back. If this wonderful thing has started, let's try and collect as many [trophies] as possible."
