India may have just celebrated their T20 World Cup triumph, but head coach Gautam Gambhir is already looking ahead. His next focus is the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup.

Only two days after the title win, Gambhir said preparations for the 50-over World Cup will begin soon. He revealed that the team management plans to finalise a roadmap by the end of the Indian Premier League 2026 season.

The 2027 tournament will take place in South Africa, with Namibia and Zimbabwe joining as co-hosts. Gambhir said the selectors and coaches will start identifying players suited to those conditions.

India will play several ODI matches before the tournament. Gambhir believes those games will help shape the final squad.

“Planning for the 2027 World Cup will happen during the IPL itself,” Gambhir said.

“There will be around 25 to 30 ODIs between IPL 2026 and the World Cup. We do not play much 50-over cricket these days. The earlier we begin planning, the better it will be.”

Gambhir also stressed that South African conditions will demand careful preparation. The pitches there usually offer pace and bounce.

“South Africa is not an easy place to play cricket,” he said.

“We must find the right combination and pick players who can adapt to those conditions. The selectors and coaches will work on it. By the end of IPL 2026, we want a clear blueprint for the 2027 ODI World Cup.”

The upcoming ODI fixtures will also draw attention to senior players such as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Their performances could influence India’s long-term plans in the format.

India’s next ODI assignment begins on June 14 with a three-match series against the Afghanistan national cricket team. The team will then travel to England for another three-match ODI series.