India captain Shubman Gill has backed the continuation of the 50-over format, calling it the most prestigious version of the game and rejecting any move to shorten it to 40 overs. Speaking ahead of the first ODI against England, he stressed that the World Cup in this format remains the ultimate prize. Gill suggested that reintroducing triangular or quadrangular series would improve bilateral cricket by offering variety in opponents and venues. He recalled enjoying such multi-team events in the past and believes they would benefit both players and spectators. India aim to recover from recent losses in Ireland and the T20I series against England. Gill also praised the Indian women’s team for their historic Test win at Lord’s. Looking ahead, he mentioned early talks with Virat Kohli on squad options for the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, including potential bowlers, all-rounders and spinners. He welcomed Jasprit Bumrah’s return to the ODI side after a rest period and expressed hope for a strong series performance.
