Virat Kohli has declared that the 2027 ODI World Cup will serve as his final tournament for India, as the 37-year-old batsman sets his sights on securing one last trophy. Having already retired from Test and other formats, Kohli is currently focusing exclusively on the 50-over game. He told broadcaster JioStar that he is motivated to leave everything on the field, aiming to win the title at any cost. That is my motivation… to leave everything out there. He was also part of the India side that won the 2011 World Cup under Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
The upcoming 2027 showpiece, which will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, stands as a major target for the veteran. Kohli, who remains a dominant force in one-day cricket with a record 54 centuries and 14,941 runs, emphasized that the mental and physical intensity required for a 10-game tournament in foreign conditions is immense. He noted that the 50-over format presents a significantly greater challenge than T20 cricket. And to maintain that intensity for 10 games in a big tournament and World Cup is a big deal.
Kohli and teammate Rohit Sharma, 39, both transitioned away from T20 internationals following India’s victory at the 2024 T20 World Cup, which followed their heart-breaking loss to Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup final. India’s current preparations for 2027 include a three-match ODI series against the West Indies, commencing this Sunday in Thiruvananthapuram.
Reflecting on the team’s readiness, India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak highlighted the positive influence of senior players like Kohli within the dressing room. According to Kotak, the squad is well aware that only one year remains before the global tournament begins, and the veteran duo’s presence provides valuable stability as the team works toward their long-term goal. I actually believe the team environment is brilliant.
