India are set to travel to South Africa well ahead of the 2027 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup as part of their preparations for the tournament. According to The Indian Express, the Men in Blue could play a six-match ODI series against South Africa at major venues including Johannesburg, Cape Town and Centurion.
The Men in Blue, led by Shubman Gill, will begin their World Cup campaign against defending champions Australia on October 7 in Cape Town. The 14-team tournament will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia and will feature a new Super 7 stage before the semi-finals and final clashes.
India to Play Six ODIs in South Africa Before World Cup
According to The Indian Express, Shubman Gill and his team could arrive in South Africa before the World Cup for the six-match ODI series against the Proteas. The dates and venues for the bilateral series have not yet been officially confirmed.
The proposed fixtures could be played at Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Centurion, giving India more time to adjust to South African conditions. The series would also allow the team to assess different combinations and give regular players enough match time before the World Cup.
The six matches could also help the management test batting and bowling options and identify their preferred combination for the tournament. Playing at some of the same venues that will host World Cup matches would also give the players greater familiarity with local conditions.
India’s Group A Schedule and World Cup Hosting Details
The Men in Blue, who finished runners-up in the 2023 World Cup, are in Group A alongside Australia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and Qualifier A. After facing Australia in Cape Town on October 7, they will meet Pakistan at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on October 10.
Gill and Co. will then play Afghanistan at Centurion on October 14 before facing Qualifier A in Bloemfontein on October 17. Their final Group A match is against Zimbabwe at the Mosi-oa-Tunya Stadium near Victoria Falls on October 24.
Group B features South Africa, New Zealand, England, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Qualifier B. The tournament will begin on October 2 in Windhoek, Namibia, with the Super Series serving as the preliminary round for the three lowest-ranked qualified teams.
Eight South African venues will host matches during the tournament. Cape Town and Centurion will stage the semi-finals, while the Wanderers in Johannesburg will host the final on November 21. Zimbabwe will host Harare, Bulawayo, and Victoria Falls, while Namibia will host three group matches.
New Super 7 Format Adds Another Challenge for India
The 2027 World Cup will introduce the Super 7 stage, replacing the Super Six format last used in 2003. The top three teams from each group and the best fourth-placed team across the two groups will advance to the seven-team round-robin phase.
The Super 7 matches will be played from October 25 to November 14, with each team playing six matches. Unlike the previous Super Six format, teams will not carry their points from the Group Stage into the next phase.
If the Shubman Gill-led side and pre seeded teams progress to the Super 7, they could face Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka. The top four teams from the Super 7 will qualify for the semi-finals, with the final scheduled for November 21 at the Wanderers.
Also read: 3 India vs Pakistan matches possible at 2027 World Cup! Here’s how
