India captain Gill cites fitness crisis after England loss

India's cricket captain, Shubman Gill, has issued a stark warning about his team's fitness crisis following a 2-1 One-Day International series defeat to England, emphasizing that frequent player injuries are undermining preparations for next year's World Cup. The series concluded on Sunday, July 19, 2026, with England securing victory by 26 runs in the decisive match at Lord's.

Gill expressed deep frustration that his squad was unable to field its strongest lineup throughout the three-match contest due to a relentless string of injuries. He revealed that at least five players from the originally announced squad were unavailable for the final game, forcing constant tactical adjustments. The captain stated that if players cannot complete a short bilateral series, the team's prospects for a successful World Cup campaign, which requires playing 11 consecutive high-intensity matches, are vulnerable.

The injury list was extensive and impacted the team's balance. Premier all-rounder Hardik Pandya and his replacement, Nitish Kumar Reddy, were both ruled out before the series began due to quadriceps injuries. Seamer Harshit Rana and all-rounder Washington Sundar sustained hamstring...