Shubman Gill details Team India's ODI blueprint for road to 2027 World Cup: 'Need to keep creating opportunities'

India ODI skipper Shubman Gill outlined the team’s game plan as they build towards the 2027 Cricket World Cup, while also reflecting on their recent seven-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the opening match of the ODI series.

The Shubman Gill-led Team India sealed a seven-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the first ODI match if the series. Image: AP

FirstCricket Staff|Jun 14, 2026, 00:25:00 IST

Team India captain Shubman Gill stressed the importance of the middle overs in 50-over cricket, noting that the phase is pivotal for both batting and bowling as he detailed the ODI blueprint for the road to the 2027 World Cup.

India secured an emphatic seven-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the first ODI match on Saturday. Debutants Gurnoor Brar and Harsh Dubey put up remarkable spells, securing three wickets each while restricting Afghanistan to 194 in 24.5 overs during the rain-curtailed outing at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala.

The Indian skipper struck an unbeaten 84 off 66 deliveries, while KL Rahul put up a fiery 39 off 19 during the chase.

Gill: 'Create opportunities, maintain pressure'

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Gill said that while bowling, the focus must remain on producing opportunities and maintaining pressure on the opposition.

Also Read | Gill takes spectacular one-handed stunner as India restrict Afghanistan to 194 despite Gurbaz onslaught: Watch

Gill acknowledges Gurbaz's impact in 1st ODI

Gill also reflected that the rain-shortened ODI game felt like a T20 encounter and that Afghanistan seized early momentum through Rahmanullah Gurbaz's brilliance and nearly took the game away, but India fought back strongly.

"It was kind of a T20 game. The way we started, they pulled the game away from us. Gurbaz was brilliant and took the game away from us, but we fought back well. It was a brilliant wicket for batting. When we were bowling, there was a bit of grip, but it came on nicely when we batted," Gill added.

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