India head coach Gautam Gambhir has revealed that preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup have already begun, with the team management focusing on building a balanced squad over the next two years. The tournament will be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, and Gambhir stressed that adapting to overseas conditions will be a key factor in India’s planning.

He explained that the team will use the upcoming ODI schedule to assess players, experiment with combinations and identify individuals who can perform consistently in challenging conditions. As quoted by Cricaddictor, he said, “There will be plenty of time; the upcoming couple of months will be the IPL 2027. By the end of the Indian Premier League 2027, hope to create a blueprint for the upcoming showdown. The ODI World Cup will be in South Africa, which can be very difficult."

Adding to that, he continued to say, "We have to see which players are capable of playing well under those conditions. We may have to try a lot of combinations as well. The final decision regarding the team for the event will come through a discussion between the selectors and the coaches.”

South African conditions central to India’s planning

Gambhir pointed out that the conditions in South Africa are significantly different from those in the subcontinent. The pitches generally offer more bounce and movement for fast bowlers, which means India will need players capable of adjusting quickly to those conditions.

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The team management is expected to keep a close watch on players who can deliver in pace-friendly environments. Gambhir also indicated that discussions between selectors and the coaching staff will play a major role in determining the final squad for the tournament. He emphasised that selections will depend on both form and suitability for the conditions, rather than reputation alone.

ODI fixtures will help shape the core squad

India is expected to play around 24 ODIs in the lead-up to the 2027 World Cup, giving the team management ample opportunity to build a strong lineup. These matches will include bilateral series against several major teams such as Australia, England, South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, West Indies and Sri Lanka.

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While some of these matches will be played at home, overseas tours will be particularly important for testing players in conditions similar to those expected during the World Cup.