Is Virat Kohli's future secure? Shubman Gill reveals talks with senior batter ahead of ENG vs IND ODIs

Shubman Gill will captain India in the three-match ODI series against England.

Indian Cricket Team are pulling their socks up for the ODI series against England, which will commence with the opening game on July 14 at Edgbaston in Birmingham.

After India’s disappointing 4-0 whitewash in the T20I series, Shubman Gill will have the responsibility to stage comeback for India in the ODI series.

India and England will clash in three ODI games during the campaign. The Shubman Gill & Co. were training in United Kingdom (UK) for the last few days for the ODI campaign.

As the ODI Cricket World Cup is scheduled to take place in October and November next year, India have already started their preparations for the ICC tournament.

Virat Kohli will be back in the ODI team after missing the previous series against Afghanistan in June due to a hamstring injury. He was initially named in the squad but was ruled out later.

Kohli will aim for a stand-out performance against England like his last campaign against New Zealand in January, in which he slammed a century and a half-century across three games.

Over the last few days, Kohli engaged in Indian Cricket Team’s practice sessions at Edgbaston Stadium to prepare for the ODI series. He was seen having important conversation with Gill during training sessions.

Shubman Gill discussed India’s combination for ODI World Cup 2027 with Virat Kohli

When Gill was asked about his exact chat with Kohli by the media, he revealed that they were discussing the playing combination for the ODI team for the World Cup next year.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference of ENG vs IND 1st ODI on Monday, Gill said, “We were talking about the combination. Which combination would be best for us, which players are there who may not be in the team right now but can help us in the future, which bowlers, which all-rounders, which spinners. We were talking about all of that,” Gill said.

When asked whether the recent T20I series debacle will affect the team’s performance in the ODI series, Gill responded, “I don’t think it will have any impact. It’s a different format, a different team and a different goal. It’s a different atmosphere and it will be a different feeling”.

The 26-year-old also added that India’s mindset for ODI World Cup 2027 is to try different combinations to get the best playing XI. They want to give chances to new players so that they can prepare themselves for the ICC tournament.

“Our preparation for the (2027) World Cup is very different. Our mindset is to see what kind of combination we can try. The wickets we are likely to get in South Africa will be similar to what we get here, so this is a very important series for us,” he stated.

“It’s not like we have an unsettled XI. But you have to give chances to new players. The more experience they get in pressure situations, the better it will be for us before the World Cup,” Gill further added.

Meanwhile, England have announced their playing XI for the 1st ODI at Edgbaston on Monday, July 13. Jacob Bethell has been named as the opener alongside Ben Duckett. Wicket-keeper batter Jos Buttler is set to play his 200th ODI game for England.

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