ODI World Cup trophy the 'ultimate goal', says India captain Shubman Gill

Suryakumar Yadav led India co-hosts India to the T20 World Cup trophy earlier this month but the 2023 defeat in the ODI final against Australia still lingers.

The 2027 ODI World Cup will be played between 14 teams in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, and is scheduled for October-November.

"Definitely, it does. That is the ultimate goal," Gill said in television interview on Star Sports during the BCCI awards.

"We felt like we were so close last time when we were here in (the final) in India. To be able to get another crack at it in South Africa, it's going to be a great opportunity for us.

"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."

Suryakumar identified India's 2024 T20 World Cup victory in Barbados under the leadership of Rohit Sharma as the win sparked all cricketers in the country.

India then won the 2025 Champions Trophy before the women added their maiden ODI World Cup trophy earlier last year.

Suryakumar added: "That one step was important, that taste was important for everyone to understand what it takes to win an ICC trophy.

"Now, there is no looking back. If this wonderful thing has started, let's try and collect as many (trophies) as possible."

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