Following India's victory in the T20 World Cup 2026, the team's next significant objective is to win the ICC ODI World Cup 2027. India has secured the T20 World Cup title twice in succession, but it hasn't won the 50-over World Cup since 2011. This long gap of 16 years has increased the urgency for the team to devise a successful strategy to reclaim the title in 2027.

In an interview with Aaj Tak, head coach Gautam Gambhir revealed that the preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup would commence after the conclusion of the IPL 2026 season. He emphasized the importance of early planning, as between the end of IPL 2026 and the World Cup, there will only be about 25 to 30 ODI matches scheduled before the tournament begins, making it crucial to strategize effectively given that the ODI format is not currently in heavy rotation.

Gambhir's comments reflect a proactive approach towards international cricket, as he underlined that the team cannot afford to delay its preparations. With the lack of frequent ODI matches, strategizing and training will be essential to ensure that the players are adequately prepared to perform at their best when the World Cup arrives, ultimately aiming to break the 16-year drought since India's last ODI World Cup victory.