![Shubman Gill and Jay Shah [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1783948953896_Shubman_Gill_Jay_Shah.jpg?type=hq)
Shubman Gill and Jay Shah [Source: AFP]
Shubman Gill is set to make his return to Team India colors, as captain no less, for the upcoming three-match ODI series. After playing the one-off Test and ODI series against Afghanistan at home, the cricketer once again found no place in the national T20I side for the tours of Ireland and England.
Ahead of the first ODI against England in Birmingham, captain Gill posed an interesting request for ICC Chairman and veteran cricket administrator Jay Shah. According to the 26-year-old, a successful implementation of his request might popularize ODI cricket amidst the rise of global T20 leagues.
Shubman Gill wants Jay Shah’s ICC to bring back multi-nation ODI series
While speaking with the reporters during a pre-match press conference, Indian captain Shubman Gill urged the Jay Shah-led ICC to organize more tri-series and quadrangular series tournaments in a bid to popularize the dying 50-overs international format.
Team India skipper also rejected the idea of ODIs making a possible switch to 40-overs-a-side contests, a notion that was reportedly discussed by ICC officials a few days ago. However, the governing body has seemingly chosen to keep the current 50-overs structure and put an end to all speculations about shortening the game further.
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Shubman Gill said “we need to bring back multi-nation series (triangular and quadrangular), where two teams travel to unfamiliar conditions. I grew up watching 50-over cricket and don’t think there’s any need to switch it to 40 overs.”
What is the significance of multi-nation ODI series?
Compatible to Shubman Gill’s claims, multi-nation ODI tournaments like tri-series or quadrangular series will indeed popularize the 50-overs format against the rising demand of T20 action.
Multi-nation ODI tournaments were once a staple of the international calendar, especially during the format's golden era, as they offered teams regular high-quality competition in a tournament setting while keeping fans invested beyond bilateral series.
Even Cricket Australia used to host the iconic annual ODI tri-series against any two touring nations at the start of every year, before eventually scrapping it away in favor of standalone bilateral contests amid growing international T20 calendar.
India to face England in three-match ODI series
Team India, under the leadership of Shubman Gill, will take on England in a three-match ODI series. The Indian cricket team started off its European tour by succumbing to successive T20I series whitewashes in Ireland and England, all under the guidance of new captain Shreyas Iyer.
However, Gill believes that his players will have no negative takeover from the recent T20I drubbing.
The three-match ODI series against England will be played between July 14 and July 19. The opening match will be hosted by Edgbaston in Birmingham.
The series will mark a crucial testing ground for both sides in their road towards next year’s 2027 World Cup in South Africa and Zimbabwe.
