Shubman Gill hints at end of road for Nabi, Kamboj in World Cup plans
India captain Shubman Gill stated there is no time to experiment before the ODI World Cup 2027, casting doubt on the futures of Auqib Nabi and Anshul Kamboj.
India recently concluded a three-match ODI series against West Indies with a 2-1 victory, though the bowling performances raised concerns. West Indies posted totals above 350 twice in the series, even crossing 400 in the second ODI and successfully chasing a 350-plus target in the final fixture.
With several frontline players unavailable due to Asian Games commitments, the team management handed opportunities to newcomers Auqib Nabi and Anshul Kamboj. However, both struggled to contain the opposition, conceding 84 and 82 runs respectively during the second and third matches.
Addressing the press following the conclusion of the series, captain Shubman Gill made it clear that the side can no longer afford to test new combinations. He emphasized the urgency of sticking to the core squad that the team intends to deploy at the upcoming global tournament.
“I honestly don’t think there is that much time to experiment,” Gill stated. “The combination that we want to play, hopefully we get all the players that are available from the next series and the combination that we would like to play in the World Cup, we want to start playing with that combination.”
The skipper added that managing a short three-match series leaves very little room to blood players sitting on the bench. He plans to consult with the selectors moving forward to ensure the squad retains players whose skill sets best serve the World Cup campaign.
Despite the heavy run-scoring against them, Gill offered some encouragement regarding their potential utility further down the order. He noted that Anshul Kamboj's ability to bat at number eight makes him a relevant option for a crucial position in the lineup.
“Anshul and Auqib are the kind of players who are going to be in the mix a lot,” Gill said. “With Prasidh injured, we had an opportunity to experiment with another player with the series being in the bag. And Anshul is someone who can also bat at number 8, and that number is very crucial for us.”
Acknowledging the difficulty of stepping directly into international cricket, Gill admitted that the outcome felt somewhat harsh on the young quicks. He expressed hope that both players would absorb the lessons from these tough experiences as they look ahead.