‘It's unfinished business’: Shubman Gill sets sights on 2027 ODI World Cup redemption, leans on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma

India captain Shubman Gill has already turned his attention to the 2027 ODI World Cup, framing the tournament as unfinished business rather than just another shot at global silverware. Speaking to JioStar ahead of the third ODI against the West Indies, the world's No. 1-ranked ODI batter reflected on how India's 2023 campaign ended and what another World Cup appearance means to him.

‘Yes, absolutely, it's unfinished business’

India stormed through the league stage of the 2023 World Cup unbeaten and arrived at the final in Ahmedabad as the standout side of the tournament, only to lose to Australia by six wickets. For Gill, that ending still stings.

"Yes, absolutely, it's unfinished business because of the way we played throughout that World Cup. We were looking like the best team in the tournament. But World Cups are like that. You might play the entire tournament well, but you don't play one game well, and that game could be the final of the World Cup," Gill told JioStar.

The 2027 edition will be led by a younger India side with Gill at the helm, blending emerging talent with established stars. The captain stressed how rare a World Cup opportunity is for any individual player.

"So definitely, it is unfinished business. And as a player, you don't get that many opportunities to represent your country in a World Cup. There could be two, three, four, five, you never know. So, every World Cup that you play for your country is a big honour. So, very grateful to be able to play another one."

‘Extremely lucky’ to have Kohli and Rohit in the dressing room

While Gill takes on more responsibility as captain, he continues to benefit from the presence of two of India's most seasoned ODI campaigners. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma returned to the ODI side for the ongoing series against the West Indies, and Gill believes their value extends well beyond their own batting.

"I feel extremely lucky. Virat bhai is probably the best ODI batter, and Rohit bhai is the best ODI opener in the world. And then to be able to have these two players in the team and their experience, and the moments that they have shared together, it's great, and we really enjoy having them in the team. And their experience is very valuable for us," he said.

Gill added that he draws on the opinions of the wider senior group, not just the two veterans, before making calls on the field.

"Often, not just those two; I go to even KL Rahul or Shreyas Iyer, for that matter. I like to take everyone's opinion," Gill said.

He explained that his captaincy is built on listening to different perspectives and then deciding what he believes will work best in a given situation.

"But most of the time, it happens that if they come to suggest something, then I might have thought about it. If I haven't thought about it, then I'll think about what their thoughts are, what their opinions are. So, you listen to everyone, see what they are thinking, and then what, according to me, would work best in that situation; I think learning comes from that."

Ranking no longer the priority

Gill's rise has been rapid, and he is currently the top-ranked ODI batter in the world — a position he first reached during the 2023 World Cup. Winning that ranking was once a childhood ambition, but his focus has shifted.

"The first time when I became the number one-ranked batsman, I think it was during the 2023 World Cup. And it felt good. As a kid, you look at the rankings, so it was like a tick mark that, 'Okay, once I want to become the number one-ranked ODI batsman.' So it feels good, but I think right now it doesn't matter as much. For me, it's more important that if you step out in a match, go to bat, then how you can make the team win, how you can contribute," he said.

Captaincy as ‘a responsibility’

The same perspective shapes how Gill views leading India. He does not treat the job as a weight to carry.

"I look at it more like a responsibility. Even while growing up, it was not really my dream that I had to become India's captain one day. My dream was always to play for the country and win matches for my country, and that was always my aim growing up," he said.

"So, when I got this opportunity to captain, obviously, it was a big honour and a big responsibility. And I look at it as I have been given the responsibility of the team, and that makes things a lot easier for me. I don't feel that much pressure about this thing because I feel that if I do things with the right intent, then everything will fall into place."

With the West Indies series under way and a home World Cup on the horizon, Gill's message is clear: the 2023 defeat is fuel, not a footnote, and India's next attempt at the ODI crown will be judged on how it finishes rather than how it starts.