‘Conditions will be much more similar’: Shubman Gill reveals why NZ ODI series is crucial to India’s 2027 World Cup plans

Shubman Gill, Gautam Gambhir India captain Shubman Gill believes the ongoing ODI series against New Zealand could play an important role in the team’s preparations for next year’s FIFA World Cup, with conditions during the current tour expected to offer a glimpse of what lies ahead in the global tournament.With the World Cup scheduled for October to November next year, Gill feels that playing in New Zealand in early November will give the Indian players a chance to experience conditions similar to what they might have encountered during the competition.Gill pointed out that India’s previous tours of New Zealand, South Africa and Australia were usually held in December and January, so the timing of the current series is particularly helpful.“The conditions we’re going to get here will be a lot more like what we’re going to get at the World Cup, especially when we play here in early November. Usually whenever we play in South Africa or New Zealand or Australia, we play around December, January and the World Cup is in October and November, so I think the conditions will be a lot more like what he said in the XCI and it’s going to be a really good experience for us on the Gill video.”India have already taken a 1-0 advantage in the five-match ODI series after their win in the rain-soaked opening match in Auckland on Wednesday. The visitors successfully chased down a revised DLS target of 143 to get their campaign off to a winning start.However, in the second encounter, the weather could speak again, rain was predicted in Wellington on Saturday.

Gill explains the early arrival in New Zealand

The Indian skipper also spoke about his decision to arrive before the rest of the team. Gill wanted more time to practice, especially with the red ball, as he wanted to better understand the conditions in the country.The batsman admitted he had limited experience playing Test cricket in New Zealand and wanted to use the extra sessions to work on his game.“I wanted to do four or five extra sessions before I joined the team, mainly for the red ball. I wanted to come here and work on my game a bit and see how the red ball is because I haven’t played a Test match here. I’ve played a few India A matches but I haven’t really played that much Test cricket here,” Gill said.Gill also expressed confidence in India’s fast-bowling resources, backing Anshul Kamboj, Aaqib Nabi Dar, Gurnoor Brar and Arshdeep Singh to impress during the series.He believes the conditions in New Zealand, particularly the bounce on offer, suit the qualities these pacers bring to the attack.“With the wickets looking around and rebounding well, our fast bowlers, whether it’s Anshul, Aqib, Gurnoor or Arshdeep, I think the skill set that they bring to the team in these conditions is tailor-made for them and I’m really optimistic that they’ll have a really good run,” he said.

Gill credits the T20I series win for India’s momentum

Gill also reflected on India’s 3-2 win in the previous T20I series, praising captain Shreyas Iyer and the team’s ability to bounce back from difficult situations in the first two matches.He felt that these returns helped India build momentum which the team carried into the ODI series. Gill also acknowledged that New Zealand would be keen to respond after losing the T20I series.“I think (Shreyas) led the T20 series beautifully. You know, playing in a country like New Zealand and winning the first three matches is never easy, plus the situation we were in in the first and second T20, we come back from there. You know, those are the games that completely change the tempo and now the momentum is with us and in New Zealand we would look at our series and the series is tough. us, which I think we are well prepared for.” he said.India will now look to extend their lead in the five-match ODI series when they take on New Zealand in Wellington on Saturday.