‘Unfinished business’: Shubman Gill eyes 2027 ODI World Cup redemption, values Virat Kohli-Rohit Sharma experience | Cricket News
NEW DELHI: Shubman Gill has already started looking towards the 2027 ODI World Cup, and for India’s captain, the tournament represents more than another opportunity on the global stage. It is unfinished business.Gill, the world’s No. 1-ranked ODI batter, reflected on India’s heartbreaking end to the 2023 World Cup campaign and the significance of getting another chance to compete for the biggest prize in ODI cricket. Speaking to JioStar ahead of the third ODI against the West Indies, Gill also underlined the value of having two vastly experienced campaigners — Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma — around him as he grows into his leadership role.India had gone through the 2023 World Cup unbeaten in the league stage and entered the final against Australia as the tournament’s standout side before suffering a six-wicket defeat in Ahmedabad.For Gill, that painful ending still carries significance.
‘It is unfinished business’
“Yes, absolutely, it’s unfinished business because of the way we played throughout that World Cup. We were looking like the best team in the tournament. But World Cups are like that. You might play the entire tournament well, but you don’t play one game well, and that game could be the final of the World Cup,” Gill told JioStar.The India captain also highlighted how limited the opportunities are for a player to compete in a World Cup, making every appearance particularly precious.“So definitely, it is unfinished business. And as a player, you don’t get that many opportunities to represent your country in a World Cup. There could be two, three, four, five, you never know. So, every World Cup that you play for your country is a big honour. So, very grateful to be able to play another one.”The 2027 edition will therefore carry an added significance for a young India side that will enter the tournament with Gill at the helm and a mix of emerging players and established stars.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli (ANI Photo)
‘Extremely lucky’ to have Virat and Rohit
While Gill is increasingly assuming responsibility as captain, he is also benefiting from the presence of two of India’s most experienced ODI players.Kohli and Rohit remain important figures in the dressing room, and Gill believes their experience can be invaluable as India prepare for another World Cup campaign.“I feel extremely lucky. Virat bhai is probably the best ODI batter, and Rohit bhai is the best ODI opener in the world. And then to be able to have these two players in the team and their experience, and the moments that they have shared together, it’s great, and we really enjoy having them in the team. And their experience is very valuable for us,” he said.For Gill, learning from senior players is not restricted to Kohli and Rohit. He also seeks the views of other experienced members of the squad before making decisions on the field.“Often, not just those two; I go to even KL or Shreyas, for that matter. I like to take everyone’s opinion,” Gill said.He explained that captaincy, for him, involves listening to different perspectives before deciding what he believes will work best in a particular situation.“But most of the time, it happens that if they come to suggest something, then I might have thought about it. If I haven’t thought about it, then I’ll think about what their thoughts are, what their opinions are. So, you listen to everyone, see what they are thinking, and then what, according to me, would work best in that situation; I think learning comes from that.”
No. 1 ranking takes a back seat
Gill’s own evolution has been rapid. He is currently the No. 1-ranked ODI batter, a position he first reached during the 2023 World Cup.While becoming the world’s top-ranked ODI batter was once a personal ambition, Gill now places greater emphasis on what his performances contribute to the team.“The first time when I became the number one-ranked batsman, I think it was during the 2023 World Cup. And it felt good. As a kid, you look at the rankings, so it was like a tick mark that, ‘Okay, once I want to become the number one-ranked ODI batsman.’ So it feels good, but I think right now it doesn’t matter as much. For me, it’s more important that if you step out in a match, go to bat, then how you can make the team win, how you can contribute,” he said.That shift in perspective is also reflected in how Gill views captaincy. Rather than treating the role as a burden, he sees it as a responsibility entrusted to him.“I look at it more like a responsibility. Even while growing up, it was not really my dream that I had to become India’s captain one day. My dream was always to play for the country and win matches for my country, and that was always my aim growing up,” he said.“So, when I got this opportunity to captain, obviously, it was a big honour and a big responsibility. And I look at it as I have been given the responsibility of the team, and that makes things a lot easier for me. I don’t feel that much pressure about this thing because I feel that if I do things with the right intent, then everything will fall into place.”
