Amid Kohli's 'easy format' debate, India's road to 2027 World Cup begins

Sanjay Manjrekar recently claimed that Virat Kohli had opted for an easier route in international cricket by focusing on ODIs. This sparked a debate, with Kohli's brother Vikas responding critically. The discussion is relevant as India begins an ODI series against New Zealand.

Manjrekar's assertion that ODI cricket is the easiest format has divided opinion. India captain Shubman Gill countered, stating, "I don't think any format is easy. If you look at it, the Indian cricket team hasn't won a World Cup since 2011, so if it was that easy, he would be winning the World Cup every second year."

The ODI format is often viewed as easier for top-order batters due to factors like defensive fields, batting-friendly pitches, and minimal swing. However, Kohli's record—over 14,000 runs and 53 centuries—is a product of intense training and discipline, not just favorable conditions.

India's preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup begins now, with about 30 ODIs scheduled over the next 22 months, starting with the series against New Zealand.

Match Details:

• When: Sunday, January 11, 2026 at 1:30 PM local time
• Where: VCA Stadium, Vadodara
• What to expect: A batter-friendly pitch with perfect weather, suggesting a high-scoring contest.

India Team News:
Shubman Gill returns as captain, likely pushing Yashasvi Jaiswal to the bench. With Mohammed Siraj in the squad, fitting three specialist pacers may be challenging, possibly leaving out Prasidh Krishna or Harshit Rana. The final XI spot could be between Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar.

• Probable XI: Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (WK), Shreyas Iyer (VC), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh.

New Zealand Team News:
Missing key players like Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra, New Zealand fields a second-string side led by Michael Bracewell. However, they are on a three-series winning streak and remain competitive.

• Probable XI: Devon Conway (wk), Will Young, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell (c), Josh Clarkson, Kristian Clarke, Kyle Jamieson, Aditya Ashok, Michael Rae.

Recent Form:

• India is on a seven-match winning streak against New Zealand, unbeaten since 2023.
• Since 2020, India has won 9 of its last 10 bilateral ODI series at home.
• New Zealand is on a four-series winning streak in bilateral ODIs.

Quotes:

• Shubman Gill: "The team atmosphere is amazing. Players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been pushing the team forward for decades."
• Michael Bracewell: "It's always a pleasure to play in India. We want to gain experience in these conditions and have a competitive series ahead of the T20 World Cup."