Virat Kohli has confirmed that the 2027 ODI World Cup will be his final World Cup appearance for India, bringing into focus what could be the closing chapter of his career in the 50-over format.
Kohli made the announcement ahead of India’s three-match ODI series against the West Indies, saying his motivation is now firmly centred on helping India win the tournament. The 2027 World Cup will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in October and November.
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“For me, it’s the last World Cup I’m going to play for India,” Kohli said in an interview with broadcaster JioStar on Saturday. He added that the prospect of playing his final World Cup has given him extra motivation to give everything he can in pursuit of the title.
The 37-year-old batter is currently India’s leading century-maker in ODI cricket, with 54 hundreds to his name. He has scored 14,941 runs in the format, placing him second on the all-time list behind Sachin Tendulkar, who finished with 18,426 ODI runs.
Kohli has already retired from T20 internationals and Test cricket, leaving ODI cricket as his only remaining international format. He was part of India’s 2011 World Cup-winning team on home soil and also featured in the side that reached the final of the 2023 edition, where India lost to Australia.
The 2027 tournament will mark Kohli’s fifth ODI World Cup. He is expected to enter the competition with the experience of four previous campaigns and a clear target of ending his World Cup career with another title.
Kohli also spoke about the physical and mental demands of a 50-over World Cup. He described the format as one of cricket’s toughest challenges, particularly because the tournament will be played in foreign conditions.
According to Kohli, the intensity required during a World Cup is significantly higher than in a regular bilateral series. He pointed to the demands of maintaining that level of performance across around 10 matches, while also adjusting to conditions away from home.
India’s other veteran ODI player, Rohit Sharma, is also preparing for another World Cup campaign. Like Kohli, Rohit currently plays only ODI cricket for India.
Rohit said the prospect of another World Cup continues to provide motivation. He indicated that as long as he remains involved in the game, there will always be something to look forward to, including the upcoming tournament.
Both Kohli and Rohit have been included in India’s squad for the three-match ODI series against the West Indies. The opening match is scheduled to be played in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.
With the 2027 World Cup still ahead, Kohli’s announcement gives the next edition added significance. For the former India captain, the tournament will not only be another major assignment but also his stated final World C
