'No time to experiment': Shubman Gill wants full India squad at his disposal from next ODI series with less than a year left for World Cup

'No time to experiment': Shubman Gill wants full India squad at his disposal from next ODI series with less than a year left for World Cup originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

India failed to complete an ODI whitewash over West Indies as they could not defend 351 runs in the 3rd ODI in Mullanpur.

Indian bowlers failed miserably throughout the series and especially in the final ODI.

Shubman Gill wants every player at his disposal from the next ODI series who is a part of India's 2027 World Cup plans.

Shubman Gill means business as India start preparing for 2027 ODI World Cup

After dominating West Indies in the first two matches of the recently concluded ODI series at home, India were expected to complete a whitewash with another authoritative performance in Mullanpur on Saturday.

The Men in Blue, batting first, had even posted a massive total of 351 runs on the board courtesy of KL Rahul's century and Rohit Sharma's brilliant knock of 92. However, India's bowling once again let them down as West Indies chased down the 352-run target and registered a five-wicket win in the end.

Indian bowlers have struggled throughout the series. In the first match, West Indies scored 297 runs, followed by a massive 405 runs in the second ODI, the first time the Windies had breached the 400-run mark in ODIs. Then in the third match, they chased down 352 runs, which is among the top 5 highest run chases in ODIs on Indian soil.

After the disappointing loss in Mullanpur, Gill was straightforward with his answers in the post-match press conference. When asked about experimentation in the Indian team ahead of the upcoming ODI World Cup, which will start less than a year from now, the Indian captain said, "I honestly don't think there is that much time to experiment. The combination that we want to play, hopefully we get all the players that are available from the next series and the combination that we would like to play in the World Cup, we want to start playing with that combination."

Gill further stated, "When it's only a three-match series, it becomes very difficult to give experience to players sitting outside. In the future, I think we will discuss with the selectors. Keeping the World Cup in mind, we will keep the players in the squad who can provide more with their skill set."

MORE: India vs West Indies ODI series 2026 report card: Grading every player from both teams

Did India miss key ODI players for the West Indies series?

India did miss several key players, who would be part of their plans for the upcoming ODI World Cup next year. While the likes of Hardik Pandya and Harshit Rana missed the series due to injuries, important ODI stars like Axar Patel, Shreyas Iyer and Jasprit Bumrah were all part of the India T20I team that competed at the Asian Games 2026.

As the Asian Games and the India vs West Indies ODI series ran almost in parallel, India missed those players in this important home series.

Bumrah's absence was felt the most as the Indian bowlers struggled to perform and failed miserably, leading to Men in Blue missing out on completing a whitewash.

With India set to play several ODI matches in the next 12 months, Gill and the Indian team will hope that every player who is part of the management's plan for the World Cup and is in the fray for a possible selection in the final 15-man squad must be available to play every ODI series.

MORE: India's 2027 ICC ODI World Cup squad: Probables and contenders ranked

India's upcoming ODI series before 2027 World Cup

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