Exclusive: 'Exciting times lie ahead, would love to be part of any World Cup team', says Shubman Gill

World Cup, scheduled to be held in India, Shubman Gill will in all probability be one of the first-choice picks. The 23-year-old's game is modelled perfectly for ODIs and Tests and it is very good to see him not being pushed into T20Is, despite him being a regular in the IPL. He is yet to play a T20I match. The tournament that someone like Shubman will be eyeing the most right now is of course the next edition of the ODI World Cup next year.

India last won the 50-over World Cup in 2011 under Mahendra Singh Dhoni's captaincy. India were co-hosts of that edition along with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Shubman, who is currently part of the Indian team which is playing South Africa at home in the three match ODI series, is trying to leave nothing to chance to be able to don the national colours for his World Cup debut in the 50-over showpiece event next year. He is eagerly waiting to live his 'World Cup dreams'.

Shubman Gill. (AFP Photo)"Exciting times lie ahead. I am really looking forward to it (playing the ODI World Cup next year). As a player I can just give my best and hope that I am part of the team," Shubman told Timesofindia.com in an exclusive interview. In the current series against the Proteas though he is yet to fire, having scored 31 runs in 2 innings so far. He will be hoping he gets a big score in the series decider in Delhi on October 11. In the second ODI played on Sunday in Ranchi, Gill was looking good, having struck 5 quick boundaries, but was sent back by Kagiso Rabada for a 26 ball 28. Since making his ODI debut in 2019 against New Zealand in Hamilton, the 23-year-old has featured in 11 ODIs and scored 530 runs at a very impressive average of 58.88. He has one century and three fifties under his belt so