Anil Kumble emphasizes the need for India to begin preparations

Anil Kumble emphasizes the need for India to begin preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

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Anil Kumble, former India captain, emphasizes the need for the national cricket team to develop transition plans post-Champions Trophy, aiming for a younger squad to contend in the 2027 ODI World Cup. In a recent ESPNcricinfo interview, he noted that head coach Gautam Gambhir faces critical decisions about continuing with legacy players. Despite Gambhir’s impressive T20I record, his ODI and Test performance has been concerning, with recent series losses. Kumble advocates for introducing young talent, ensuring they play 20-25 matches together for cohesion. This tournament should prompt discussions on the future direction of India’s white-ball cricket.

Anil Kumble, the former India captain and leg spinner, believes it is crucial for the team to initiate transition plans following the current Champions Trophy, and work towards forming a new, younger squad that can compete for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Talking on ESPNcricinfo’s Matchday show before India’s opening match against Bangladesh, Kumble mentioned that head coach Gautam Gambhir will face some “difficult decisions,” regardless of how the team performs in the Champions Trophy.

“You might argue that this tournament holds significant importance for a coach faced with making challenging decisions about moving on from legacy players to newer ones,” Kumble stated. “Ultimately, it falls on the coach to make these tough choices.

“This tournament could influence the fate of senior players and guide India in implementing those necessary changes. Whether they win or lose, it is imperative to make these tough decisions promptly. Focus should shift towards future white-ball cricket, especially for the 2027 World Cup.”

While Gambhir boasts an impressive record in T20Is, with 16 victories and just two defeats, his performance in ODIs and Tests has not been as stellar. India faced a bilateral ODI series loss against Sri Lanka for the first time in 27 years, and in Tests, they suffered a 3-0 defeat at home to New Zealand, followed by a 3-1 loss in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.

Kumble emphasized the importance of Gambhir incorporating younger players into the team and ensuring that this new group has “at least 20-25 matches together” prior to the next ODI World Cup.

“For any World Cup, it is essential to form a squad that has played at least 20 or 25 matches together. This experience allows players to grasp the intricacies of match scenarios and establish reliable connections. Ideally, after this tournament, attentions should turn towards the next World Cup. Will the seniors be a part of that? Or is it time to give youth a chance to carry the team forward in the shorter formats and create a robust unit? These are the concerns Gambhir needs to tackle.

“He (Gambhir) has a promising, young team and a variety of players to select from, so it is vital for him to start preparing organically for the 2027 World Cup. He has excelled in T20Is, with Suryakumar Yadav showing great promise as captain. With still two years to go before the next World Cup, this new group of players must have a consistent run of games to understand various aspects such as batting order, match dynamics, and strategies.”

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