New Delhi, March 15 India's ODI captain, Shubman Gill, said on Sunday that winning the 2027 World Cup is the ultimate goal for his team, especially after coming so close to lifting the trophy in the last edition of the 50-over event.
Despite their incredible 10-match winning streak, India lost in the final against Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup.
"Definitely, that is the ultimate goal," Gill said on Star Sports during the BCCI Naman Awards when asked if he thinks about the next ODI World Cup.
"We felt like we were so close last time when we were here in (the final) in India. To have another chance in South Africa, it will be a great opportunity for us."
"Winning a World Cup in any format for the country is the ultimate goal, so obviously, that's something that often crosses my mind," Gill said.
Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav said that if there was one game he would want to replay, it was the 2023 ODI World Cup final, and winning it.
"Definitely, the 2023 World Cup final in Ahmedabad. I would love to replay that and win it," he said.
Suryakumar, the T20I captain, said that India's 2024 T20 World Cup triumph acted as a catalyst, leading to various Indian teams across genders and age groups winning ICC titles in recent years.
"I think we just needed that one spark, or one step, which we actually achieved in 2024, and after that, the 2025 Champions Trophy, then the women's team winning that ODI World Cup in 2025, and then in 2026," he said.
"That one step was important, that taste was important for everyone to understand what it takes to win an ICC trophy. Now, there's no looking back. If this wonderful thing has started, let's try and collect as many trophies as possible," Suryakumar said.
Suryakumar said that India will be looking to achieve a hat-trick of T20 World Cup wins along with the gold medal in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
"It's a great thing that a major event is happening, and cricket is getting a place in it," he said.
"There are two events in that year—there is a T20 World Cup, and the Olympics. So, why not? If you've done two in a row, why not three in a row in T20s and definitely the Olympic gold," Suryakumar said.
Suryakumar credited both Rahul Dravid, the former head coach, and the incumbent Gautam Gambhir for instilling the habit of supporting the players.
"From where we left in 2024 under Rahul sir, we knew that we needed to show a lot of trust and belief in the players. Sometimes in sports, you won't see good things happening, there will be lots of ups and downs," Suryakumar said.
"You have to show a lot of trust in the players, believe in them, and that's what we wanted to do when we started this new cycle for the 2026 T20 World Cup."
"Till the 2026 T20 World Cup came, we tried to make as few changes as possible. When you come into a big tournament like this, it's really important to stand by the players who have done really well for you in the last two years," he continued.
He added, "We always knew that if we've created—as Gauti bhai (Gambhir) always says—we've created a super team, we've picked a super team, so let's stick to them."
India Women's captain Harmanpreet Kaur said giving Jemimah Rodrigues a break proved to be a masterstroke, as she played the innings of her life in the World Cup semi-final against Australia.
"Amol (Muzumdar) sir and I had a very good discussion that sometimes that small break can always give you a lot of confidence. I was still a bit doubtful whether we should give her rest or not, but sir was very clear," she recalled.
"That little break gave her a lot of confidence because sometimes as a batter, we overthink. That break gave her time to think what she needed to do," Harmanpreet said.