Overview
- India formally starts its World Cup build-up with a three‑match home ODI series against Afghanistan that begins June 13, a schedule move framed as the first step toward the 2027 tournament.
- Multiple reports quote unnamed BCCI sources saying head coach Gautam Gambhir has not been tightly involved in ODI planning and that captain Shubman Gill needs to assert a stronger leadership role in the dressing room.
- Several senior players have sought clarity from BCCI officials about their roles as management and selectors weigh form and availability for the long run; these conversations are reported but not officially confirmed.
- Virat Kohli is ruled out of the Afghanistan series with a hamstring injury while Rohit Sharma was recently cleared to play but faces repeated fitness questions and published reports say some in management want him to consider stepping aside, which remains unverified.
- Former player Ravichandran Ashwin and commentators say fitness, form and a clear management‑player alignment will likely decide final World Cup picks, a pressure that could speed a generational transition as India prepares for South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia conditions.