Virat Kohli Confirms ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 Will Be His Last

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Sept 26 : India batting great Virat Kohli has confirmed that the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, to be hosted by South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe, will be his final World Cup appearance for India.

“For me, it’s the last World Cup I’m going to play for India. And that is my motivation. And of course, the goal is absolutely to win the World Cup. And whatever it takes, I’m absolutely ready,” Kohli told JioStar in an interview.

Kohli, who is nearing the 15,000-run mark in ODI cricket, has represented India in four World Cups and was part of the title-winning team in 2011.

The veteran batter, who recently announced his retirement from Test and T20I cricket, is now focused on the 50-over format and the 2027 World Cup.

“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,” Kohli said.

He added that maintaining such intensity throughout a major tournament, particularly in foreign conditions, is a significant challenge.

Kohli has been among the most prolific batters in World Cup history. He has played 37 World Cup matches, scoring 1,795 runs at an average of 59.83, including five centuries and 12 fifties, with a highest score of 117.

In his overall ODI career, Kohli has scored 14,941 runs in 302 innings at an average of 58.59, including 54 centuries and 79 fifties. His highest ODI score is 183, while his career strike rate stands at 93.95.