NEW DELHI (Reuters) — India’s One-Day International captain Shubman Gill says winning the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup is the ultimate goal for the team after falling short in the final of the 2023 tournament on home soil.

India entered the 2023 World Cup final unbeaten but suffered defeat against Australia in the title clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, ending their dominant campaign without the trophy.

Speaking during the Indian cricket board’s awards ceremony on Sunday, Gill said the upcoming 50-over World Cup, scheduled to be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in October-November 2027, offers India another opportunity to claim the sport’s biggest prize.

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“We felt like we were so close last time,” Gill said. “To be able to get another crack at it in South Africa, it’s going to be a great opportunity for us.”

Gill added that bringing home an ICC trophy remains the ultimate ambition for any Indian team. “Winning a World Cup in any format for the country is the ultimate goal. So obviously, that is something that sometimes runs in my mind,” he said.

Recent success boosts confidence

India’s T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav said the men’s team’s triumph in the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup helped build momentum for Indian cricket, contributing to further international success.

According to Yadav, the experience of winning a major ICC tournament gave players confidence and belief in their ability to deliver on the global stage.

“That one step was important, that taste was important for everyone to understand what it takes to win an ICC trophy,” he said.

“Now there is no looking back. If this wonderful thing has started, let’s try and collect as many trophies as possible.”

India’s men’s team also went on to win the ICC Champions Trophy, while the country’s women’s team secured its first ODI World Cup title last year, marking a period of strong results for Indian cricket.