India’s batting star Virat Kohli has confirmed that the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup will be his final ODI World Cup for the country, saying the prospect of one last campaign is motivating him to give his best in pursuit of the title.
Speaking to JioStar, Kohli acknowledged the physical and mental demands of a 50-over World Cup, particularly with the 2027 edition set to be played in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. He said playing in foreign conditions adds another layer of difficulty to maintaining intensity across the tournament.
“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,” Kohli said.
The 37-year-old has appeared in four ODI World Cups and featured in two finals, lifting the trophy with India in 2011 before the team finished runners-up to Australia in the 2023 final on home soil.
Kohli said the workload of a 50-over World Cup makes the competition different from other formats, with players required to sustain high-intensity performances over a long tournament.
“The intensity of a 50-over World Cup is greater than anything,” he said, adding that maintaining that level across around 10 matches requires considerable effort.
Kohli, who has scored 1,795 runs in 37 World Cup innings at an average of 59.83, has five centuries and 12 half-centuries in the tournament. His World Cup tally also includes a highest score of 117.
The former India captain has amassed 14,941 runs from 302 ODI innings at an average of 58.59, with 54 centuries and 79 fifties. His highest ODI score is 183.
With the 2027 World Cup now part of his stated motivation, Kohli said winning the tournament remains the primary objective.
“Of course, the goal is absolutely to win the World Cup. And whatever it takes, I’m absolutely ready,” he said.
India’s preparations for the next ODI World Cup are set to continue with their home series against the West Indies, followed by scheduled ODI assignments against New Zealand and Sri Lanka later this year and Zimbabwe in early 2027.
