Indian batting great Virat Kohli has confirmed that the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 will be his final ODI World Cup for India.
The master batsman has said that he wants to give everything in pursuit of the title.
Speaking to an Indian media outlet, the former Indian captain stated that competing in foreign conditions adds to the challenge and that sustaining high intensity throughout the tournament demands significant physical and mental effort.
“Also now, it’s in foreign conditions. It takes a lot out of you. For me, it’s the last World Cup I’m going to play for India. And that is my motivation. Like, you know, to leave everything out there,” he remarked.
The 2027 ODI World Cup will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia from October 4 to November 21, 2027. Kohli has featured in two ODI World Cup finals, in 2011 and 2023, both held in India. He won the title in 2011, while India lost the 2023 final to Australia.
Kohli described the 50-over World Cup as a unique test of intensity and said the format sets it apart from other tournaments.
“The intensity of a 50-over World Cup is greater than anything. Because now, it’s about 10 games at a T20 level of intensity. But you are playing 2.5 T20 games in one day. And to maintain that intensity for 10 games in a big tournament and World Cup is a big deal,” he added.
Kohli has played 37 matches in the ODI World Cup, scoring 1,795 runs in 37 innings at an average of 59.83. He has struck 5 centuries and 12 fifties in the tournament, with a highest score of 117 and a strike rate of 88.20.
Kohli, a key figure in India’s ODI setup for more than a decade, said that his goal is to help India lift the World Cup and that he is ready to do whatever it takes.
“Of course, the goal is absolutely to win the World Cup. And whatever it takes, I’m absolutely ready,” the 37-year-old said.
Across his ODI career, Kohli has scored 14,941 runs in 302 innings at an average of 58.59, with 54 centuries and 79 fifties. His highest score in the format is 183.
India is also scheduled to play five ODIs in New Zealand and three against Sri Lanka later this year, followed by three ODIs against Zimbabwe in early 2027.
