India ODI captain Shubman Gill has voiced his frustration over his side’s growing injury concerns, questioning whether players are taking their fitness seriously enough ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
Gill’s remarks came after India slumped to a 27-run defeat against England in the third ODI at Lord’s on Sunday, handing the hosts a 2-1 series victory. The Indian skipper was particularly concerned by the number of players unavailable during the tour, with injuries forcing the team management to repeatedly alter their combinations.
Even before the ODI series got underway, India had suffered major setbacks. Pace-bowling all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Nitish Reddy were ruled out with injuries, depriving the side of two key options. Young all-rounder Harshit Rana then sustained a hamstring tear during the preceding T20I series, ruling him out of the one-day leg of the tour.
India’s troubles deepened as the series progressed. Washington Sundar complained of a hamstring issue during the second ODI, while Jasprit Bumrah picked up an impact injury in the same match and missed the decider at Lord’s.
“Yes, absolutely,” Gill said when asked whether the mounting injury list was becoming a concern.
“If you look at the squad, the first squad that we announced, out of that, at least five players did not play this match. So one player gets injured, you try to play a different combination. There are two players, a different combination. But I think after every match, if a player is missing, somewhere we are missing a few tricks,” he added.
GILL WORRIES OVER INDIA’S WORLD CUP PREPARATIONS
Gill’s biggest concern is the effect the injuries could have on India’s preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. The tournament could require teams to play as many as 11 matches if they progress all the way to the final.
“If we keep the World Cup in mind, we have to play 11 matches in a row. And here the players are not even able to finish 2-3 series of matches. So somewhere it is missing that our players are not able to play matches continuously,” Gill said.
The captain also expressed frustration at the uncertainty caused by late fitness issues, revealing that the team management had often been forced into making last-minute decisions.
“They play one or two matches. If there is a niggle or something, then we are forced to play a different combination. So after seeing all these things, it is a bit difficult that one day in the morning, if you come to know that this player has a niggle, and then it is almost like, do you want to take a chance?” he asked.
“Someone is 80 per cent fit, you are playing with five bowlers… it is difficult. But I think somewhere, as a group, I don’t know, our fitness or all those things need to be improved,” Gill concluded.
Despite the series defeat, India would have been encouraged by Rohit Sharma’s return to form in the final ODI. The skipper smashed 138 off 110 balls, hitting 17 fours and five sixes, although his effort ultimately proved insufficient to prevent England from sealing the series.
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