Ravichandran Ashwin hailed Rahul Dravid's planning for the 2023 ODI World Cup while questioning the team's plans for the 2027 edition. India lost an ODI series to England 2-1.

Ravichandran Ashwin was left baffled with India's planning for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 and compared the tenure of current head coach Gautam Gambhir to his predecessor Rahul Dravid. The 2011 World Cup winner pointed out that India's incredible run in the 2023 edition came on the strong backing and security given to players.

Ashwin hailed Dravid's planning for the major event and claims the same method should have been followed after India's loss in the 2023 final. He also called for the grooming of the coaching staff and a smooth transition instead of an abrupt change.

"I have said this so many times. When there is a 2027 ODI World Cup coming in the map. When the 2023 World Cup is over. From there, how to be a team for 4 years. Which combinations to find. Who are the 50 over specialists. Who are we going to back. If the workload is more, while managing that workload, we have to save them for ODI. All these plannings should have happened. So who was the coach of 2023? Rahul bhai. Rahul bhai must have asked plans till 2027. And if not. If Rahul bhai is saying that I will be there till 2024-25, I will leave. Rahul bhai's planning should be recorded," said Ashwin in a video on his YouTube channel.

" It should be documented. That this is my plan. It should be done like this. And that needs to be handed over. I have said this many times. When there is an incumbent coach. If a coach is working in the team. Along with that coach, there should be 2 other people. One is a young coach. One is an experienced coach.

"Who can take the young coach. At least till the world cup. Then in 2027 world cup, it should be like this.

10 months before the 2027 world cup, there needs to be an influx of new period of coaches. Who can take the same team. Then the hand holding isn't a problem," Ashwin added.

He also praised the synergy between Dravid and Centre of Excellence (COE) chief Laxman, who takes charge of the team when the main head coach is absent. Ashwin also claimed Laxman is an individual who meticulously plans for events.

"Exactly, the way you groom the player. The way there will be options. Similarly, the coaching staff will have to be groomed. Under 19 cricket is different. NCA is different. Indian team coaching is different. Indian A team is different. The way Indian A coaching setup and the mainstream coaching team is there. There is a lot of difference. Rahul used to be coaching here. There was a lot of workload. Laxman used to go to Zimbabwe. We talk to them. Whether they agree. That is not how it works. But at least we talk. They used to find a middle ground and work. You don't know how Laxman works. For a Zimbabwe tour or any tour that he goes, he will be preparing 20 days before. Like he is playing himself," Ashwin stated.

After the host reminded Ashwin of the criticism Dravid faced during his tenure with many captains taking charge of the team in the period, the former Indian spinner joked that even he led the team in a warm-up game. He pointed out that while Dravid's decisions are criticised, one cannot say there was a lack of planning and claimed that all players will testify to the stability in his tenure.

"I captained India A in a practice game in West Indies. We dismissed Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma with planning. Everyone can criticize. But someone can say that Dravid did something without planning or someone was dropped out of nowhere without a long rope or didn't give stability. The way he saved Hardik Pandya and used him. It was very unfortunate. He got injured in the 2023 World Cup. He backed Shubman Gill like an opening batsman. He backed KL Rahul. In Rahul's stint, KL Rahul became one of the best test batters India had. He gave a long rope to Shardul Thakur at number eight in touring games. He gave a place to Kuldeep Yadav as third spinner in India," Dravid stated.

"Players never felt the lack of stability. You can't fault that. I worked closely. You are wrong. I know people can criticize. People will criticize the best in the business. Tell me one thing. Is there anyone who hasn't been criticized? Everything is a criticism. Leave the criticism of social media. That is not the point. You ask any of the players in the Rahul bhai stint, how was Rahul bhai as a coach? Then tell me. People say. Players will tell you. Everybody. Is there anyone who does everything well," Dravid added.

With only 14 months left for the 2027 ODI World Cup, India are struggling in the ODI format. Since winning the 2025 Champions Trophy, the team have lost three of the five series they have played in 50-over cricket.