New Delhi: Former Indian cricketer Anil Kumble has suggested the Indian team management to start building the core squad right after the completion of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He was of the opinion that the Gambhir-led management should consider young players for the selection and be ready for tough calls in respect to senior players.
India’s Champions Trophy got underway with their match against Bangladesh on Thursday in Dubai. The team is led by opening batter Rohit Sharma with Gambhir being the head of the coaching staff. India are playing all of their matches in Dubai rather than Pakistan where all other teams play their matches.
Kumble, who was the coach of the Indian team in the last edition of the Champions Trophy in 2017, has advised Gambhir to start looking for players who can be part of the 2027 World Cup in South Africa. Even if India lift the Champions Trophy, the former leg-spinner believes only players who can fit in the next marquee event should be considered in the scheme of things.
“This tournament could determine where those seniors would go, and where India would look at making those changes. Win or lose, you need these tough calls to be made at the earliest. You need to start looking ahead in white-ball cricket, especially at the 2027 World Cup,” Kumble said on ESPNcricinfo.
Identifying core players for 2027 World Cup
India have captain Rohit Sharma (37), top-order batter Virat Kohli (36), all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja (36), pacer Mohammed Shami (34), and wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul (32) who are the most senior players in the squad. Kumble, who played 271 ODIs for India during his career, wants the team management to think on which senior players fit into the squad. He advocates for giving young players at least 20-25 matches in the run up to the next quadrennial event.
“He (Gambhir) has a fresh, young team and plenty of players to choose and build from, so he needs to organically start preparing for the 2027 World Cup,” Kumble said.
India won the first Champions Trophy match against Bangladesh by six wickets and the Men in Blue will next face Pakistan in the high-octane clash on Sunday (February 23) in Dubai.
Former Indian cricketer Anil Kumble advocates for immediate squad restructuring. He urges Gambhir, the head coach, to prioritize young players, preparing for tough decisions regarding senior players’ roles in the 2027 World Cup. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
