India may have secured the ODI series against the West Indies, but captain Shubman Gill believes there is still considerable room for improvement before the 2027 World Cup. Gill highlighted India’s death bowling and fielding as two key areas that need attention, particularly with the number of ODI matches remaining before the global tournament limited.

Speaking after the series, Gill admitted that India need greater clarity in their plans during the final overs of an innings. The captain also stressed that the team’s fielding standards must improve if they are to challenge strongly at the World Cup.

Shubman Gill reveals areas to improve for India ahead of ODI World Cup 2027

Gill pointed to India’s decision-making during the death overs as one of the areas requiring immediate improvement. According to the captain, the team can sometimes be uncertain about whether to adopt an attacking approach or continue with defensive tactics when the opposition has lost several wickets.

“I feel sometimes we are not really clear whether we are attacking or defending, especially when we are bowling in the death overs,” Gill said in the post-match chat.

He explained that one-day cricket presents a difficult tactical situation when an opposition side is five or six wickets down. At that stage, teams have to make crucial decisions regarding field placements and bowling strategies. India experimented with several options during the series, particularly because Jasprit Bumrah was unavailable due to Asian Games duty while Hardik Pandya missed the contest through injury. Mohammed Siraj played only one match and did not bowl at the death, while debutants Anshul Kamboj, Gurnoor Brar, Naman Dhir and Auqib Nabi were given opportunities in the closing stages of matches.

Gill was also particularly concerned about India’s catching and overall fielding standards. India dropped six or seven catches across the series, a statistic the captain believes is unacceptable with the 2027 World Cup approaching.

“Overall in the series, I think we dropped six or seven catches, which is not a good sign leading up to the World Cup. You want your fielding to be top-notch,” Gill added.

The issue became particularly costly in the final match. India recovered from a difficult start of 4-2 to post 351 after choosing to bat first, but the West Indies successfully chased the target. Gill felt India had the match under control for much of the contest, only for the visitors to take advantage of the situation late in the chase.

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Slow over rate adds to India’s concerns

India’s problems were compounded by their slow over rate. After falling four overs behind schedule, they were restricted to having only four fielders outside the inner circle for the final deliveries after the 46th over. Gill believed that the delay played a significant role in the outcome.

“I think the game was in control. But being behind four overs and then in the last [few overs], I think they took the game away from us,” Gill explained.

Despite the setbacks, Gill finished the series as Player of the Series after scoring 334 runs, including an unbeaten double-century during India’s successful 406-run chase. He was dismissed cheaply in the final match after edging Jayden Seales to Shai Hope, who completed a one-handed catch.

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